Who is eligible to receive a Payback payment?

To be eligible for a given year's Payback payment, creators must be a writer or visual artist signed up with Access Copyright by the applicable eligibility date. For example, to be eligible for the 2026 Payback payment, you must have signed up with Access Copyright by December 31, 2025.

When will I receive my Payback payment?

Payback payments are issued once per year, typically in November.

Why are only works published within the last 20 years eligible to be claimed for Payback?

Copying data shows that works published more than 20 years ago are unlikely to be copied under Access Copyright licences. Limiting eligibility helps ensure payments reflect actual usage.

How do I access my distribution reports?

You can access your distribution reports through the Creator Portal at https://creator.accesscopyrightportals.ca/

Is there a minimum payment amount?

Yes, the minimum payment amount is $25. Royalties are held until the minimum payment amount is reached. No royalties are held for longer than five years. Once the threshold is met, all accumulated royalties are paid.

Can my royalties be assigned to my business?

Yes, payments may be issued to a business upon completion of our warranty agreement asserting you have assigned ownership of your published works to a business and that the organization is entitled to receive royalties collected by Access Copyright for the copying and sharing of the assigned works.

Do my royalties include GST or HST?

For information about GST or HST on royalties, please refer to the Canada Revenue Agency website.

What if my contact information changes?

Updates should be submitted as soon as possible via the Creator Portal to ensure you continue to receive royalty payments from Access Copyright promptly.

What if my banking or mailing information changes?

Please contact affiliates@accesscopyright.ca to update your banking or mailing information.

Should I let Access Copyright know when I publish new titles?

We do not require a specific list of your published works but do ask you update your published outlet annually during the Payback claim period from April 1 to May 31, if applicable, to ensure you maximize your annual Payback payment.

What happens when a writer or visual artist affiliated with Access Copyright passes away?

Payments cannot be deposited or endorsed by anyone other than the named payee. An Estate Warranty form must be completed by the heirs or executor of the estate. Access Copyright will then properly reassign future payments to the beneficiaries.

I need legal advice. Can Access Copyright help?

We are unable to provide legal advice directly. Please refer to our Resource Hub to be connected with qualified legal contacts in your province or territory.

Creator Hub

Q: What is Payback?

Payback is an annual royalty payment distributed to writers and visual artists signed up with Access Copyright that recognizes their contribution to the repertoire of published works that we are able to license. The pool of royalties distributed through Payback payments comes from royalties collected under Access Copyright licences that aren't attached to specific published works, along with fifteen percent of all revenue available for distribution each year.

Everything you need to manage your relationship with Access Copyright in one place.

The Creator Hub provides information about Payback, other royalty payments, timelines, distribution reports, direct deposit, and how to get support.

Portal Login

Payback Program Overview

Payback is an annual royalty payment distributed to writers and visual artists signed up with Access Copyright that recognizes their contribution to the repertoire of published works that we are able to license. The pool of royalties distributed through Payback comes from royalties collected under Access Copyright licences that aren’t attached to specific published works, along with fifteen percent of all revenue available for distribution each year.

‍Payback payments include:

A base payment, representing 40% of the royalties distributed annually via Payback, is shared equally among eligible creators.
A supplementary payment, representing the remaining 60% of the royalties distributed annually via Payback, is based on how much eligible creators have contributed to the repertoire of works Access Copyright can license and is only distributed to those who have submitted a Payback claim reporting their published output.

To be eligible to receive the annual Payback payment, creators must:

Be signed up with Access Copyright by the end of the previous year. For example, those eligible for the 2026 Payback payment will have signed up with Access Copyright by December 31, 2025.

Claim period: April 1 – May 31 (annually)
‍
Writers and visual artists signed up with Access Copyright may receive additional royalties during our June and December distributions. Those receiving royalties through either distribution will be contacted directly by email informing them that a distribution has been made to them.

Payback FAQs

Payment Timing, Methods, and Minimum Thresholds

When payments are issued‍

Payback payments are issued once per year, typically in November.
Additional royalty distributions occur annually in June and December. Those receiving a distribution payment will be notified directly.

How payments are delivered

Direct deposit, typically appearing within two business days and an option available to those who bank with a financial institution based in Canada.
Cheque, mailed to the address on file.

Minimum payment threshold

Royalties are held until the minimum payment amount of $25 is reached.
No royalties are held for longer than five years.
Once the threshold is met, all accumulated royalties are paid.

To help Access Copyright keep its administrative costs low and to ensure any royalty payments get to creators right away, we strongly recommend all writers and visual artists signed up with Access Copyright set up direct deposit with us.

Set up Direct Deposit

Creator Portal

The Creator Portal is where you manage your account and access your Payback information.

In the portal, you can:

View your annual distribution letter and report
Update banking and contact information
Manage claims and account details

Creator Portal

Help Us Locate Copyright Owners

Not all copyright owners are easy to find.

Access Copyright is pleased to support the Copyright Board of Canada in working to locate and establish contact with previously unknown rightsholders.

We also assist the Copyright Board with conducting research, recommending licence terms, and searching for unlocatable copyright owners for whom we are holding royalties.

View Current List of Unloctable Copyright Owners

Are you on the list or do you know someone on the list? Get in touch with us!
Email: affiliates@accesscopyright.ca
Phone: 416-868-1620 (toll-free 1-800-893-5777)

FAQs

Need Help or Have Questions?

If you need assistance with eligibility, payments, reports, or account access, support is available.

Royalty and Client Services 
Email: affiliates@accesscopyright.ca
Phone: 416-868-1620 (toll-free 1-800-893-5777)

Contact Form