Copyright Office Fee Schedule Update

Summary#

This is a proposed set of changes to the Copyright Regulations under the Copyright Act published on December 31, 2022 by the Department of Industry. It replaces the fee schedule that the Copyright Office uses for services (like registrations and certified copies) and would take effect on January 1, 2024 if adopted.

What it does#

• Replaces the existing schedule of fees in the Copyright Regulations with a new tariff of fees for copyright-related services.
• Sets different fees depending on the service and how it is submitted (online vs. other methods).
• Key fee examples from the new schedule:
  • Filing an application to register a copyright: $63.00 if filed online, $81.00 otherwise.
  • Accepting an assignment or licence: $81.00.
  • Certified copy (paper or electronic): $44.00 plus $1.00 per page for paper, or $13.00 per related copyright for electronic copies.
  • Other copy requests: $13.00 per electronic request; additional physical media at $13.00 each.
• This is a proposed regulation (not final). Interested people can submit comments within 30 days of publication. The notice encourages using the Canada Gazette online comment tool or emailing Doug Milne at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office.

Who's affected#

• Creators and copyright holders who register works with the Copyright Office.
• Businesses and legal professionals who file assignments, licences, or request certified copies.
• Libraries, archives, and others who request copies of registered copyright records.
• The change is about government fees; it does not itself change copyright rights or rules. If it’s unclear whether a specific group will be affected, that depends on whether they use Copyright Office services.

Why it matters#

• These fees determine how much it costs to register a copyright or to get certified records from the Copyright Office. That affects budgeting for creators, companies, lawyers, and institutions.
• There is a price incentive to file some applications online ($63.00 vs $81.00), which could encourage digital submissions.
• If adopted, the new schedule will be in force on January 1, 2024, so anyone planning filings or document requests should take the new fees into account.