A Canadian Videography Service Contract is a legally binding agreement between a videographer or video production company and a client that defines the complete scope of video production services, from pre-production planning through final delivery. This contract is essential because of the unique intellectual property considerations that arise under Canadian copyright law, which differ significantly from other common law jurisdictions.

Under Section 13(1) of the Copyright Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. C-42), the author of a work is the first owner of copyright. For videography, the videographer who creates the footage owns the copyright by default. Unlike the United States, Canada does not have a broad work-made-for-hire doctrine -- the Copyright Act limits work-for-hire ownership to works created by employees in the course of employment under Section 13(3). When a client hires an independent contractor videographer, the client does not automatically acquire copyright. Section 13(4) requires a written assignment signed by the owner to transfer copyright. This makes the copyright clause in a videography contract critically important.

Canadian videography contracts must also address moral rights under Sections 14.1 and 28.2 of the Copyright Act. Moral rights include the right to attribution, the right to remain anonymous, and the right to the integrity of the work. These rights cannot be assigned -- they can only be waived in writing. Even if the videographer assigns full copyright to the client, moral rights persist unless expressly waived. Additionally, the contract should address Transport Canada RPAS regulations if drone footage is involved, music synchronization licensing through SOCAN and CMRRA, and GST/HST obligations on creative services.

A videography service contract is essential whenever a client hires a videographer in Canada for a wedding, corporate event, commercial production, documentary, music video, real estate marketing, or content creation project. Wedding videography is the most common use case in Canada, where couples need contractual assurance of specific deliverables -- highlight reel length, full ceremony edit, delivery format (4K, 1080p), and timeline for completion.

Corporate clients commissioning training videos, promotional content, product demonstrations, or event documentation need contracts that clarify whether the company receives full copyright ownership or a licence to use the footage. The distinction is especially important under Canadian law because Section 13(4) of the Copyright Act requires a written assignment signed by the copyright owner -- a purchase order or email exchange is insufficient to transfer copyright.

This contract is needed when drone footage is part of the production. Transport Canada requires all operators of drones weighing between 250 grams and 25 kilograms to hold a valid RPAS pilot certificate under the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs), Part IX. The contract should confirm the pilot holds valid certification and address liability for weather cancellations or restricted airspace limitations. Real estate videographers capturing aerial property views must comply with these regulations.

Content creators hiring videographers for YouTube, podcasts, or social media need contracts addressing platform-specific deliverable formats, cross-platform usage rights, and whether the videographer receives ongoing credit. The contract should also address music licensing -- synchronization licences through SOCAN and CMRRA are required for any copyrighted music paired with video content.

A comprehensive Canadian videography service contract must include detailed production specifications beyond a simple scope description. The deliverables section should specify the number of finished videos, approximate runtime, resolution and format (4K, 1080p, vertical for social media), colour grading style, and the number of revision rounds included. Most professional Canadian videographers include two to three revision rounds with hourly rates for additional edits, typically ranging from CAD $50 to CAD $150 per hour.

The copyright and usage rights section is the most legally significant clause under Canadian law. Clearly state whether the client receives full copyright ownership (requiring a written assignment under Section 13(4) of the Copyright Act), an exclusive licence, or a non-exclusive licence. Address moral rights -- if the client needs to modify the footage freely, a moral rights waiver signed by the videographer is essential under Section 14.1. Specify whether the videographer may use clips in their portfolio and whether the client may sublicence the footage to third parties.

Payment terms should detail the deposit amount in Canadian dollars, milestone payments, and final delivery payment. Include GST/HST obligations -- videography services are taxable supplies under the Excise Tax Act, with GST (5%) in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and British Columbia, HST (13%) in Ontario, HST (15%) in the Atlantic provinces, and GST plus QST (9.975%) in Quebec. The cancellation policy must comply with the applicable provincial Consumer Protection Act, which may provide additional cancellation rights beyond the contractual terms.

For drone footage, confirm the videographer holds the required Transport Canada RPAS pilot certificate and include a weather contingency clause. Music licensing responsibilities should specify who obtains synchronization licences for copyrighted music -- the videographer, the client, or whether only royalty-free music will be used. Both parties must sign, and the governing law should reference the applicable Canadian province.