New Copyright Registration Fees

Summary#

These final regulations, SOR/2023-116, replace the fee schedule in the Copyright Regulations and set specific charges for registering copyrights and for getting copies or certified copies of records. They were published in the Canada Gazette on June 21, 2023 and take effect January 1, 2024.

What it does#

• Replaces the existing schedule of fees in the Copyright Regulations with a new list of fixed charges for services related to copyright registration and records.
• Sets lower fees for online filings made through the Canadian Intellectual Property Office website: registration applications submitted online cost $63.00, while non-online filings cost $81.00.
• Other key fees in the new schedule include:
  • Registration of an assignment or licence: $81.00.
  • Request for accelerated processing of an application or registration: $81.00.
  • Correction of a clerical error (online): $63.00; (other methods): $81.00.
  • Certified paper copy of a document: $44.00 plus $1.00 per page.
  • Certified electronic copy of a document: $44.00 plus $13.00 for each copyright the request covers.
  • Paper copy (per page): $1.00 (whether you make it using office equipment or the office does it).
  • Electronic copy: $13.00 per request, plus $13.00 for each additional physical medium supplied and $13.00 for each copyright the request covers.

Who's affected#

• People or businesses that register copyrights or record assignments or licences with the copyright office.
• Lawyers, courts, researchers, libraries, and others who request certified copies or copies of copyright records.
• Anyone who files online via the Canadian Intellectual Property Office website (they pay the lower $63.00 fee for certain services).
• It is clear which services have set fees, so there is little ambiguity about who will pay them.

Why it matters#

• The rules make the cost of filing and getting records explicit and standardized. That helps creators and businesses plan for the fees involved.
• There is a clear price advantage for filing online ($63.00 vs $81.00), which may push more users to the online service.
• Certified copies and multiple-copy requests now have set per-page and per-item charges, which can add up in legal or commercial situations where official proof of copyright is needed.
• The changes are administrative (they set fees) rather than changing substantive copyright rights or processes.