Expert: Nyall Engfield - 7/4/2010

Question
Hey, i am currently writing a comic but am not sure if i am violating laws in doing so. I wish to have a character appear in cosplay of numerous copyrighted characters and use abilities that the copyrighted characters use. I am pretty sure i would not be able to do this but am not sure. However if i make these abilities and cosplays parodies of the original (exaggerating proportions for example) would i be able to avoid any problems with the law?

Answer
In Canada, there is an exemption from copyright for criticism or review (such as a parody), however you must give the source in that criticism. If the context in which you are using the character might not be seen as criticism or review then you may open yourself to liability for copyright infringement. If the characters you create are your own and are not obviously related to copyrighted characters, then you will be able to avoid any copyright problems.