Copyright Registration

Everything you need to know about getting a Copyright Registration over Goodlawyer.

1. What is a Copyright Registration
2. Pricing and Scope
3. What is the Process?
4. How will my business use a Copyright Registration? 
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. Book a Copyright Registration

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What is a Copyright Registration

A copyright is a type of intellectual property (IP) right that protects original works of authorship including literary, artistic, graphic, dramatic, or musical works. Copyright provides the owner with the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, or perform the work, including creating adaptations or distributing copies of the work. Copyright also provides the owner with the right to authorize any of these acts. The duration of a copyright typically lasts for the lifetime of the author, plus 50 years. 

Copyright on a work is created automatically upon the creation of a work, and the creator is the default owner. However, optional Copyright Registration with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) provides the copyright owner with evidence that the copyright exists and that the person registered is the owner of the copyright. This can assist when enforcing a copyright against third parties and is often used to help protect copyrighted works that will be commercialized.

This service is for people or businesses with copyrightable assets looking to protect their intellectual property to increase investor confidence or prepare to commercialize their copyrightable works.

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Pricing and Scope

Starting at $280 + Tax + Government Fees

• Government application fee is typically $50 (not included)

Included

• Project kick-off call to gather information, advise you, and answer questions
• Preparation and filing of the required documents with the CIPO
  

Not Included

• Re-applications, amendments, appeals, or oppositions to your application.
• Additional work or questions following the delivery of the application. 
• Any major revisions or rewriting of the application before submission
• Government application fee is typically $50 (not included)
  
  

Your lawyer may recommend different or additional services, including a custom quote. Your approval for any additional work is always required and you will never be billed for services you didn't agree to.

 

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What is the Process?

1. Book a call. Pick a time to discuss your Copyright Registration with a Good Lawyer.
2. Design your application. Work directly with your lawyer to craft your Copyright Registration application. This allows you to identify the creative work that you want to protect (website content, book, art, music, video, etc.). Your lawyer will provide advice and help you create an application that supports your business goals and has a higher chance of approval.
3. Finalize your application. You will receive a final draft of the application before it is submitted and will be able to make one last round of minor revisions if necessary.
4. The application will be filed. Your Good Lawyer will file the application on your behalf.

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How will my business use a Copyright Registration? 

Get proof of copyright ownership. Copyright Registration provides evidence that you own the copyright, which makes enforcing your copyright against third parties easier. This additional protection can open the doors for you to commercialize your work and maximize your returns through sales or licensing. 

Make it easier. Copyright Registration Applications have specific requirements, and the CIPO looks for specific language when approving them. Poorly written or incomplete applications are more likely to get rejected by the CIPO, which makes the process slower and more expensive. Using a Good Lawyer experienced with Copyright Registrations will save you the time it would take to prepare the application and navigate the process yourself. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Goodlawyer Service Fee work? Because we believe in transparent pricing, we make our best effort to be upfront about additional fees and how they are calculated. Visit the Goodlawyer Service Fees page for a detailed explanation.

How long does a copyright registration last? Copyright (registered or not) typically lasts for the life of the author, plus 50 years. There are some exceptions to this general rule, depending on how many people authored the work and the type of copyright. Your lawyer will be able to tell you the exact duration of your copyright. 

How long does it take to register a copyright? Copyright Registrations are very quick. It generally takes less than a month to register your copyright in Canada, the majority of which is time waiting for the results of your application. If your application is overly complex, it could take a bit longer for your application to get prepared and reviewed, but your lawyer will always let you know in advance.

Is there anything I can’t copyright? Copyright only covers original creative works, and it does NOT protect inventions (these are protected by patents) or branding (this is protected by trademark). There is no legal protection available for facts, which are considered part of the public domain. It’s also worth noting that if you’re trying to copyright a performance of some sort, it must be recorded. A copyright cannot be registered based on the description of a performance alone. If you’re unsure if something can be protected by copyright, consider booking an Advice Session with an Intellectual Property Lawyer.

Does Copyright Registration with the CIPO protect my copyright internationally? Depending on the jurisdiction, copyright automatically arises upon creation of copyrightable work in Canada. However, like in Canada, an optional copyright registration certificate can be obtained in some countries as proof of ownership, assisting with enforcement of a copyright in that country. Your lawyer will be able to assist you in determining what types of international copyright protection will help support your business goals. 

Do I need a lawyer to prepare and file a Copyright Registration? No, a person or company can technically file a Copyright Registration application themselves. However, using a lawyer will help ensure the application is prepared in a way likely to be accepted by the CIPO, saving you time and money, and increasing the chances of a successful application. 

Do I need a lawyer in my province for a Copyright Application? No, you don’t need a local lawyer to work with you on preparing and filing a Copyright Registration application. Copyright Registrations are filed at the federal level.

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