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Choose registration, search, document or correction support based on what you need.
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COPYRIGHT SERVICES FOR CREATORS & BUSINESSES
Register your work with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, search existing records, order copyright documents or correct an error, plus U.S. copyright registration support.
FIVE SERVICES FOR YOUR COPYRIGHT RECORDS
Find the right option for a new registration or an existing record. Review the service requirements, scope and fees before submitting your request.
Register a work, research a record or request an update.
For creators and copyright owners
Put your Canadian copyright claim on record.
Apply to register copyright in an eligible work with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office. Provide accurate work, author and ownership details. Registration records the claim; it does not create ownership where none exists.
For research into existing registrations
Find information in copyright records.
Request a search for available copyright registration information using the relevant title, name or registration details. Results depend on the records and search scope. No matching record does not establish that a work has no copyright.
For copies of existing copyright records
Get the records you need for your files.
Request copies of available copyright documents relating to an existing record. Supply the registration number and identify the documents you need. Confirm whether a certified or uncertified copy is appropriate for your purpose.
For clerical errors in a Canadian record
Request a correction to recorded details.
Apply to correct a clerical error in a copyright application or registration document. Identify the existing record, the error and the correct information. A correction request is different from transferring copyright ownership.
For a U.S. copyright application
Explore registration in the United States.
Get support with a U.S. copyright registration request for an eligible work. Requirements depend on the work type, authorship and publication status. Review the required application details and deposit material before applying.
Not sure which copyright service fits? Tell us about your work, the country involved and whether you already have a registration number.
Ask about your copyright ↗UNDERSTAND YOUR COPYRIGHT OPTIONS
Copyright protects original expression in works such as writing, music, artwork and software. In Canada, protection generally arises automatically when an eligible original work is created in a fixed form; registration provides a formal record.
Choose the service that fits your next step: register a work, search existing records, obtain documents or request a clerical correction. For a U.S. application, review the separate registration requirements before you proceed.
WHY CHOOSE NUANS PRE-SEARCH
A new copyright application, a records search and a correction each need different information. NUANS Pre-Search brings these services together so you can choose the right request, prepare your details and contact our team when questions arise.
Questions? Talk to our teamChoose registration, search, document or correction support based on what you need.
Check the work’s title, author, owner and existing record details before submitting.
Contact our team by phone or email about a copyright service or your order.
HOW OUR COPYRIGHT SERVICES WORK
Choose a service, provide the relevant work or registration details and keep the resulting records for future reference.
Select registration, search, documents, correction or U.S. copyright support to match your request.
View all services ↗Enter accurate titles, names and relevant dates. Include existing registration details or supporting material where the application requires them.
Requirements differ by service and countryKeep the certificate, search result, document copy or response supplied for your service. Check the details and any next steps when it arrives.
Processing depends on the request and copyright office
WHAT YOU NEED FOR A COPYRIGHT REQUEST
Gather these essentials, then follow the instructions for your selected service. A new registration and an existing-record request need different details.
Work title & category
The exact title and type of work, such as literary, artistic, musical or dramatic.
Author & copyright owner
Correct names and contact details, including any relevant ownership or transfer information.
Publication & application details
Whether the work is published, relevant dates and the country where you need service.
Existing records & supporting material
Any registration number, certificate, correction details or required copy of the work.
CUSTOMER CONFIDENCE
See what customers across Canada say about working with us, then talk to our team about your plans.
Read what business owners, founders and organizations say about working with NP, then speak with our team about the right service for you.
COPYRIGHT REGISTRATION & RECORDS GUIDE
Understand what each copyright service does, what it records and how Canadian and U.S. processes differ.
Eligible original works can have copyright protection without registration. Canadian registration creates a public record, and a certificate is evidence that copyright exists and that the registered person is its owner. It is not a guarantee against an ownership dispute.
Keep your creation records and relevant agreements alongside the certificate. Registration does not replace evidence of how ownership arose.
Explore copyright registration ↗A copyright search looks for information in available registration records. Many protected works are not registered, so an unsuccessful search does not mean a work is free to copy. A record may help identify a party to contact about rights.
Check the intended use and any permission or licence you need. A search report does not grant permission to reproduce a work.
Explore copyright searches ↗A document request obtains a copy of an existing record. A Canadian copyright correction request addresses a clerical error in an application or registration document. It does not serve as a general way to rewrite ownership or change the underlying work.
Identify the registration number and the exact document or error. A substantive ownership change may require a different process.
Explore copyright corrections ↗Canada and the United States have separate copyright registration systems. A Canadian certificate is not a U.S. registration. A U.S. application generally involves an application, a fee and a required deposit copy, with rules that depend on the work.
Many works of foreign origin can qualify for U.S. registration. Confirm the work’s eligibility and application requirements before submitting.
Explore U.S. copyright services ↗FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Clear answers about Canadian copyright registration, searches, document requests, corrections and U.S. applications.
Tell our team about your work, the country involved and the copyright service you need.
Contact our team ↗Copyright protects eligible original expression in works such as books, artwork, music, photographs and software. It does not protect an idea by itself. The work must meet the relevant legal requirements; copyright in a creative work is different from trademark protection for a brand.
No. Eligible original works are generally protected automatically once created in a fixed form. Canadian registration provides a formal record and a certificate that can serve as evidence of copyright and ownership. Registration is not a guarantee that ownership cannot be challenged.
Name the person or organization that owns the copyright, which may differ from the author. Employment arrangements, written assignments and other agreements can affect ownership. Confirm the relevant facts and agreements before applying; paying for a work does not always transfer its copyright.
You generally need the work’s title and category, the copyright owner’s details, author information and publication details where applicable. Additional information may be required for particular subject matter. Follow the application instructions and check all names and dates before submission.
No. Copyright can exist without registration, so a registry search cannot identify every protected work. Results also depend on database coverage, the search terms and the records available. A search with no match does not establish that you may copy, publish or adapt a work.
You can request available copies of copyright registration or related records through the relevant document service. Identify the registration number and the document required. Certified and uncertified copies serve different purposes, so confirm the format your recipient needs before ordering.
A certificate of correction can be requested for a clerical error in an application or registration document. Supply the registration number and specify the error and correct information. Substantive ownership changes or disputes may require a different process; not every change qualifies as a correction.
No. Canadian and U.S. registrations are separate. International agreements can provide protection abroad, but a Canadian certificate is not a U.S. registration. If you need a U.S. registration, review the eligibility, application and deposit requirements for your work.
Many works of foreign origin, including eligible Canadian works, can be registered with the U.S. Copyright Office. Eligibility depends on the applicable rules. The application route and required deposit material depend on factors such as work type and publication status.
Copyright generally does not protect names, titles or short phrases by themselves. Business name registration and trademark protection are separate matters. If your goal is to protect a brand name or logo, review the appropriate trademark options and the nature of the material involved.
Fees and processing times depend on the service, country, document type and any additional requirements. Review the current options on the selected service page before ordering. Missing information or a copyright office request can affect the time needed to complete your request.