We make it easy for organizations to use published content legally, efficiently, and with confidence. Our licensing solutions provide clear permission to copy and share from over 100 million works in our repertoire, reducing risk, saving valuable time, and allowing teams to focus on their work.
At the same time, we ensure creators and publishers are recognized and fairly compensated whenever their work is shared. With decades of experience, trusted licensing systems, and copyright advocacy, we make copyright simple, transparent, and fair for everyone.
Our Mission
We make it easy for users to share content responsibly, collect payment for this use, and distribute the royalties we generate to creators and publishers.
Vision
A world where copyright and creative work are respected and valued.
Canadian workers rely on published content every day for research, to communicate, and to get their work done. In fact, 91% of employees at Canadian organizations share copyright-protected works weekly. Yet many organizations do not have the licences or permissions required to do this legally, exposing them to unnecessary legal and reputational risk.
That's where Access Copyright can help. We provide clear, trusted licensing solutions that reduce risk, save time, and make copyright compliance simple so teams can use and share content with confidence and focus on their work.
Creators and publishers invest time, talent, and passion into their work. Access Copyright supports them by managing licensing and administration on their behalf, so they are fairly compensated for the copying and sharing of their work.
They are also eligible for an annual repertoire payment: Payback for creators, and the Publisher Repertoire payment for publishers.
Access Copyright is one of Canada’s largest communities of writers, visual artists, and publishers.
For almost four decades, Access Copyright has enabled the sharing of published works, including books, journals, and articles at businesses, schools, universities, public institutions, and other organizations. Our licences provide pre-cleared permissions for the copying, sharing, and distribution of copyright-protected content, giving organizations confidence and ensuring creators and publishers are fairly compensated.
We collect royalties from licensed Canadian organizations and international partners and distribute them to creators and publishers based on international best practices. Since our founding, we have distributed over $500 million to rightsholders, returning meaningful income to creators and publishers that is invested in new published works.
Access Copyright is a national, non-profit copyright-licensing organization representing over 12,000 Canadian creators and publishers. An elected Board of Directors drawn from our community provides strategic direction and oversight to Access Copyright, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Our membership comprises 33 provincial, regional, and national organizations representing Canadian writers, visual artists, and publishers. We collaborate with our membership and communicate with them throughout the year.
Access Copyright offers a global copyright management solution to its licensees. Through reciprocal agreements with over 25 copyright-licensing organizations around the world, Canadian organizations gain access to an international repertoire of more than 100 million published works.
In turn, our agreements help ensure that Canadian creators and publishers are compensated when their work is copied in other countries. Partner organizations return royalties collected on behalf of Canadian rightsholders for distribution to rightsholders in Canada. Access Copyright distributes royalties to Canadian rightsholders outside of Quebec. Copibec distributes royalties to rightsholders in Quebec.
We actively engage in international forums and collaborative initiatives to strengthen copyright management and best practices worldwide. Access Copyright is a proud member of the International Federation of Reproduction Rights Organizations.
Learn more about the work we do and its impact.
Stay up to date on the latest news and announcements from Access Copyright.
Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on licensing, copyright news, and resources designed to support your work.
