Key Porter Loses Copyright Case To Native Artist

An Ontario judge has ruled in favor of a Mohawk artist in her copyright infringement case against Canadian publisher Key Porter. Tonya Maracle had agreed to allow some of her dreamcatchers to be photographed and used by Key Porter in a children’s book, if proper credit were given to the artist and her company. But when the book came out, it wasn’t for children (a significant point, since Maracle had only agreed to donate her work because the book would be aimed at kids,) and she was not credited. The judge called the publisher’s conduct “disgraceful,” and awarded Maracle $40,000 plus legal costs. Key Porter plans to appeal.