ABOUT COPYRIGHTLAWS.COM
Copyright Education Since 1998
For more than 25 years, Copyrightlaws.com has helped professionals across Canada, the United States, and around the world build confidence in copyright and licensing.
Today, under the leadership of Erin Gurski, MA, we continue our mission of making copyright law practical, accessible, and easy to understand through expert-led courses, certificate programs, and real-world learning experiences.
Whether you’re working in libraries, education, publishing, government, or the private sector, our training helps you confidently navigate copyright and licensing challenges in your organization.
Master copyright and licensing with our signature bite-size lessons. Get vital information and practical tips from our individual courses or deep dive into our signature programs:
- Copyright Leadership Certificate
- Certificate in Licensing Digital Content
- Certificate in Canadian Copyright Law
ABOUT ERIN GURSKI, CEO
Erin Gurski, MA
Erin Gurski, MA, has been the owner and CEO of Copyrightlaws.com since its Founder, Lesley Ellen Harris, retired in July of 2023. Erin is a copyright consultant and educator who has worked in the copyright sector for over a decade. She has worked with Copyrightlaws.com as a TA since 2019, helping to teach courses on Canadian, U.S. and international copyright law as well as digitally licensing content.
After completing a Master’s in History at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, Erin began working first as a researcher and then copyright officer at the Canadian Museum of History (CMH). Other roles have included Advisor, Intellectual Property at CMH as well as Licensing Officer and Executive Director of Copyright Visual Arts. Having benefited both personally and professionally from courses on Copyrightlaws.com, Erin is passionate about providing accessible copyright education to students around the world.
Erin has been helping to update the certificate programs and eTutorials and has also written several blogs for the website. She is thrilled to be continuing her journey in copyright education through teaching the many useful offerings of Copyrightlaws.com, and is working hard to develop new courses to be provided in the coming years.
Expert-Led Education
Learn from experienced copyright professionals.
Global Perspective
Canadian, U.S., and international copyright expertise.
Practical Learning
Real-world copyright scenarios and applications.
Trusted Community
Join professionals from libraries, education, publishing, government, and beyond.
Don't just take our word for it. See what our graduates have to say.
IN MEMORY OF OUR FOUNDER
LESLEY ELLEN HARRIS
(1961–2024)
Copyrightlaws.com was founded in 1998 by Lesley Ellen Harris, a copyright lawyer, consultant, author, blogger, and passionate educator. Throughout her career, Lesley dedicated herself to making copyright law accessible and understandable through practical, plain-language education.
Her expertise spanned Canadian, U.S., and international copyright law, as well as licensing digital content. Through her books, articles, speaking engagements, online courses, and certificate programs, she helped thousands of professionals around the world build confidence in navigating copyright issues.
After beginning her career in copyright policy and law reform, Lesley developed a global perspective on copyright through international research and comparative studies. She became widely respected for her balanced, independent approach to copyright education and her ability to explain complex topics in a way that was approachable and practical.
Lesley created and taught numerous copyright education programs, including the Certificate in Canadian Copyright Law, the Copyright Leadership Certificate, and the Certificate in Licensing Digital Content, programs that continue to educate professionals today.
Facing health challenges, Lesley made the difficult decision to retire in 2023. Following a courageous battle with cancer, she passed away peacefully at home in April 2024.
The values that continue to guide Copyrightlaws.com today, independence, accessibility, practical learning, and a commitment to copyright literacy, are a direct reflection of Lesley’s vision and life’s work.
We are proud to carry her legacy forward and remain deeply grateful for the foundation she built.
Thank you, Lesley, for everything.
