The Canadian government released a new Canada Food Guide yesterday, the first major update in 12 years to what is reported to be one of its most-requested publications. The guide is viewed as very influential, with copies often found in medical facilities, schools, and other community spaces. Yet despite the demands for distribution, the government has disappointingly adopted a restrictive copyright approach with respect to its reproduction, adaptation or translation. The guide is subject to crown copyright rules and public uses that extend beyond fair dealing require government permission. In fact, Health Canada has posted a lengthy permission form that asks for the following information for those seeking to reproduce, translate or adapt the guide:

Name, contact information, website

Purpose (reproduction, adaptation, revision, translation)

Format (paper, Internet, video/film, audio, DVD, other)

Number of copies to be produced or expected URL

End Use (commercial, educational, non-commercial, free distribution, advertising/promotion)

Cost (if any)

Territory where the work will be distribution (Canada, worldwide, other)

Precise description of material to be used

As Amanda Wakaruk points out, the restrictive approach creates a disincentive for Canadians to engage with the publication. Moreover, it stands in direct contrast in approach to many other countries: the U.S. dietary guidelines are public domain, the UK’s Dietary Recommendations are licensed under an Open Government licence that allows for copying, publishing, distribution, and adaptation for commercial and non-commercial purposes, Australia’s food guide can be freely displayed, printed or reproduced, and Ireland’s food pyramid publications can be freely copied, published or translated.

Ensuring that the public can freely use, translate, and adapt government materials designed for public education would seem to be a natural as it opens the door to innovative videos, translations and other means of extending the message. Yet the Canadian government, which has also oddly adopted a closed-by-default approach with respect to image use, is similarly restrictive with one of its most popular and important publications. A great deal of thought went into updating the Canada Food Guide. It would appear that far less thought went into the copyright rules that govern its use.