To determine whether you need a license through COVA-DAAV, the key question is: “Who is paying for the license?” If the party seeking to use the work (the licensee) is located in Canada, then yes, you generally must license through COVA-DAAV. If the payee is located outside Canada, then you may need to license through a local rights-management agency in that country or arrange direct rights with the artist. If you are unsure, please contact us and we can help clarify your specific case.

Due to a high volume of requests, please allow up to one month to receive a response from our team. Once your request has been reviewed, we will contact you with the next steps and any required information to complete your license.

Many projects involve works by artists represented by COVA-DAAV as well as other non-affiliate artists. In these cases, COVA-DAAV can confirm the artists we represent and guide you on which organizations, estates, or artists you must contact for other rights holders, helping ensure that all necessary permissions are obtained correctly.

We understand how upsetting this can be. At COVA-DAAV, our role is primarily one of copyright management and licensing for our affiliated artists. We do not operate as a law firm. While we actively monitor and try to regulate unauthorized uses of our affiliate artists’ works, we cannot pursue substantial legal action (such as lawsuits) on your behalf. If you are not an existing affiliate and wish to pursue legal remedies, we recommend that you contact a qualified copyright or intellectual-property lawyer.

Yes. Copyright continues for 70 years after the artist’s death in Canada. During this period, the rights are typically administered by the artist’s estate or heirs. If the estate is affiliated with COVA-DAAV, you must obtain a license through us for any use of their work. Only once the copyright term has fully expired does the work enter the public domain, where permission is no longer required. If you are unsure whether or not an artist is considered public domain, please reach out and we would be happy to advise you.

Unauthorized use may constitute copyright infringement. COVA-DAAV often works with users to issue retroactive licenses to regularize past unlicensed uses and bring them into compliance. Depending on the nature of the infringement, fees or penalties may apply. If you believe you may have used a work without permission, please contact us as soon as possible so we can help determine the appropriate next steps.

COVA-DAAV uses the CARFAC-RAAV Minimum Fee Schedule as the absolute minimum standard when calculating royalties for our affiliated artists and estates. In many cases, fees may be higher depending on the scope, duration, format, print run, or commercial nature of the use. Our priority is to ensure that artists receive fair and transparent compensation that reflects the value of their work.