Copyright

Copyright

A type of Intellectual Property (IP), a right that protects original works of authorship, including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic and certain other intellectual works. Copyright law in Canada is governed by the Copyright Act​. Copyright owners generally enjoy certain exclusive rights, including the right to:
  • Reproduce the work (including making electronic copies).
  • Create adaptations (derivative works) based on the work.
  • Distribute copies of the work (by sale or rental).
Registration is not required to secure a copyright, although registration provides additional benefits.
The Copyright Office in Canada is responsible for registering copyrights in Canada. The Copyright Office is part of the Copyright and Industrial Design Branch of the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO), which administers Canada’s system of intellectual property rights. For more information on the Copyright Office or CIPO, see its website.


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