The Copyright Implications of Book Editing Apps: Case Study—Story Surgeon

Abstract:

There is a new type of software app currently being developed that allows the purchaser of an ebook to make edits to the content of the book by creating (or using existing) “filter” files. This article analyzes Story Surgeon, one such app in development. The copyright implications of such an app are myriad. Although Story Surgeon’s clever architecture may serve to shield it from copyright liability in the United States, Canadian copyright law may offer some unique challenges (and opportunities) for book editing apps like this one north of the border. This article examines the Canadian copyright implications of this new technology by canvassing such issues as moral rights, enabling infringement, the user-generated content (UGC) exception, and fair dealing for the purposes of criticism and review, parody, satire, and education.