Application for Registration of a Copyright in a Work

Additional Information

1. Title of the work

The title of the work must identify a single work. If the work is published in a series of books or parts, such as in the case of an encyclopedia, a single application for the whole work is sufficient. Descriptive matter that does not constitute a part of the title should not be included.

2. Category of the work

The following information may be helpful in selecting the appropriate category:

Literary: Works consisting of text. This includes books, pamphlets, lectures (including an address, speech or sermon), tables and translations. Computer programs are also included in this category.

Note: Textual works in which a scenic arrangement or acting form is fixed in writing (e.g. a screenplay) fall within the dramatic category.

Musical: Means any work of music or musical composition with or without words, including compilations of musical works.

Artistic: Includes paintings, drawings, maps, charts, plans, photographs (includes photo-lithograph and any work expressed by any process analogous to photography), engravings (includes etchings, lithographs, woodcuts, prints and other similar works), illustrations, sketches, sculptures (includes a cast or model), works of artistic craftsmanship, architectural works (meaning buildings or structures or any model of a building or structure) and compilations of artistic works.

Dramatic: Includes any piece for recitation, choreographic work or mime, where the scenic arrangement or acting form is fixed in writing or otherwise. It also includes cinematographic works (having dramatic character or not) and compilations of dramatic works. Examples of dramatic works are screenplays, scripts, plays, and motion picture films.

*A compilation is a work resulting from the selection or arrangement of literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works or parts thereof, or a work resulting from the selection or arrangement of data. A compilation containing two or more of the categories of literary, dramatic, musical or artistic works is deemed to be a compilation of the category making up the most substantial part of the compilation.

3. Publication

Publication means making copies of a work available to the public; the construction of an architectural work (building or structure or any model of a building or structure); and the incorporation of an artistic work into an architectural work.

The following do not constitute publication:

  • the distribution of photographs/engravings of sculptures or architectural works;
  • the exhibition in public of an artistic work;
  • the performance of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work in public;
  • the communication of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work to the public by telecommunication.

4. Owner

The copyright owner is usually the author of the work, the employer of the author, or any other person (individual or other legal entity) that has obtained ownership through a transfer of ownership, such as an assignment.

5. Author

The individual who created the work should be named as author except in the case of a photograph created prior to November 7, 2012, where the author can be an individual or some other legal entity.

6. Declaration

An application for registration of copyright must contain a declaration that the applicant is the author of the work, the owner of the copyright in the work, an assignee of the copyright, or a person to whom an interest in the copyright has been granted by licence. Please note that the registration certificate and any correspondence related to the application will be sent to the person named as the copyright owner, unless an agent has been named in the application.

7. Agent (if applicable)

If this section is completed, the certificate of registration and any correspondence relating to the application will be sent to the agent rather than the person named as the copyright owner.

8. Fee

The fee for each application for registration of a copyright is listed in the Tariff of Fees (Item 1) which can be found at www.cipo.gc.ca/fees. Note: Do not add federal or provincial taxes to this amount.

Payment

When sending payments by mail or facsimile, please use the CIPO Fee form (PDF: 160 KB; 8 pages). The following payment methods are accepted:

  • Credit card (American Express, MasterCard, or VISA)
  • Postal money order
  • Cheque payable in Canadian dollars to the Receiver General for Canada
  • CIPO Deposit Account
  • Wire transfer

Please note that a CIPO Deposit Account is not a debit card account. Please do not include any bank account information on the application.

Further details about fees and deposit accounts are available on the CIPO website or by contacting the Client Service Centre for more information.

Note: Fees will not be refunded once the application is received in the Copyright Office. In addition, once a copyright is registered, no further fees are required to maintain the registration.

Please do not send copies of your work.

You may also file your application electronically via our website on the Application for Registration of a Copyright in a Work page.

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