Frequently Asked Questions

Value-Added Resellers

1. Do you provide exclusive licenses for value-added products?
2. Is there screening criteria?
3. How do I acquire the source materials once a license has been granted?
4. Do copyright and intellectual property stay with CHS?
5. Are VAR products recognized under the Canada Shipping Act?
6. Are VAR products recognized as official CHS products?
7. Can I use the CHS crest on my VAR product?
8. Are VARs required to submit regular reports?
9. Is there complete digital coverage of Canadian waters?
10. Can I purchase data sets with more soundings than displayed on a chart (i.e. denser data at a larger scale)?
11. What formats are field sheet or source data sets available in?
12. What licensing applies to field sheet or source data sets?

1. Do you provide exclusive licenses for value-added products?

No, exclusive licenses are not granted for value-added products to Value-Added Resellers (VARs).

2. Is there screening criteria?

Yes, each application is screened prior to approval.

3. How do I acquire the source materials once a license has been granted?

CHS will provide the necessary materials once a license has been signed.

4. Do Copyright and intellectual property stay with CHS?

Yes, copyright and intellectual property rights remain the property of CHS. Your Value-Added Reseller (VAR) license does not transfer copyright, and does not authorize the sale, sub-license, lease, and assignment of the data, or application for any patent in relation to the data.

5. Are VAR products recognized under the Canada Shipping Act?

VAR products do not meet the requirements of the Canada Shipping Act (Charts and Nautical Publication Regulations, 1995) because they are not official products issued by CHS. VAR products must carry a disclaimer to that effect.

6. Are VAR products recognized as official CHS products?

VAR products are not recognized as official CHS products for the purposes of navigation. Official CHS charts and publications must be used for navigation.

7. Can I use the CHS crest on my VAR product?

No, VAR products may not include the CHS crest, the original product name or any other annotation that may be interpreted as CHS endorsement.

8. Are VARs required to submit regular reports?

Yes, reports pertaining to the production and sales of the VAR product are required on a regular basis and reporting requirements are specified in the applicable license agreement.

9. Is there complete digital coverage of Canadian waters?

Although there is broad digital coverage of Canadian waters, in some areas CHS field data may only be available in paper format. A significant number of charts are available in raster form, but not all. Please see our survey locator for more information.

Some charts are not suitable for use with modern navigation systems such as the Global Positioning System, and for safety reasons CHS cannot make these charts available until they have been reconstructed. Please refer to our catalogues of digital charts.

10. Can I purchase data sets with more soundings than displayed on a chart (i.e. denser data at a larger scale)?

CHS conducts hydrographic surveys that collect all the reference field data that supports the information displayed on a chart. These data sets, commonly called field sheets or source data sets, are composed of numerous soundings at a larger scale. They are made available for purchase or their use may be licensed in a similar fashion as the CHS charts. Data may be available in digital or graphic form depending on its age and location.

11. What formats are field sheet or source data sets available in?

Please contact us at chsinfo@dfo-mpo.gc.ca for more information on availability, pricing and formats.

12. What licensing applies to field sheet or source data sets?

A potential Value-Added Reseller may apply for access to CHS field data by filling out the Application – CHS Digital VAR Agreement.