Intellectual Property & Trademarks

Moral Rights

An author's personal rights to be associated with their work and to protect its integrity.

Moral rights belong to the author personally and cannot be assigned, though they can be waived. They persist even after the economic copyright has been transferred to someone else.

Why it matters: an assignment of copyright alone may not be enough. Commissioning agreements commonly include an express waiver of moral rights.

Related terms

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A definition can tell you what a term means. It cannot tell you what to do about your matter — that needs a licensed lawyer who knows the facts.

Legal information, not legal advice. Rules differ by province and change over time. A licensed lawyer must review your matter.

Editorial status: Lawkin Editorial — pending independent legal review.

Moral Rights — Canadian legal glossary | Lawkin — Lawkin