In Canada, copyright arises as soon as the work is created. Registration of your copyright is optional but strongly recommended. A certificate of registration is proof that copyright applies to the work and you are the registered owner of such copyright.
Copyright law in Canada gives authors the right to control their creative works. If you hire creative people, you need advice on copyright. Under copyright law, the definition of an “author” includes engineers, software programmers, draftspersons, photographers, mobile-app developers, animators, graphic designers, writers, and artists, including visual artists and musicians.
We have extensive experience in providing advice to clients on the protection and enforcement of copyright in all of these areas. We are partners with the Canadian Intellectual Property law firms that specifically provide services of Intellectual Property. Our copyright lawyers practice before the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and before all levels of Court in Canada.
Our expert team applies their in-depth knowledge of Canadian copyright law to help clients leverage and assert rights to achieve business goals. Our highly specialized IP lawyers understand the interplay of copyright and broader intellectual property rights and are able to advise clients on how to leverage copyright as a strategic tool to provide broader protection for products and brands.
We are a trusted advisor to our clients, providing responsive and effective counsel on copyright matters involving all subject matters including video and digital media, film, television, telecommunications, product design, toys, software, music, literature, photography, and architecture. Our clients include leading companies across a wide range of industries including fashion, video games, software, telecommunications, media and broadcast, entertainment, motion pictures and television, education and training, government and financial institutions.
We have significant expertise in all aspects of copyright law, from the clearance, acquisition and registration of copyright to sophisticated customs and anti-counterfeiting enforcement across Canada. We also have considerable experience in due diligence, contractual and transactional issues concerning copyright.
Regarded as some of the most competitive industries, the software, technology, and e-commerce sectors require that you have strong protection of your intellectual property and the right documentation in place. We provide a range of services to these clients which includes the preparation and negotiation of software development agreements, software licensing and distribution agreements, end-user licenses, call center agreements, web-linking agreements, domain name protection, strategic alliances, and other contracts related to the commercialization of intellectual property.