The CHS Value Added Reseller (VAR) Program

CHS is renowned for its world-class charts and publications. We offer a folio of almost 1,000 charts, and many publications such as Tide and Current Tables, cruising atlases, small craft guides and sailing directions. We also have significant bathymetric data holdings, as well as vast holdings in marine environmental and oceanographic data and products.

The VAR program is a way for CHS to join forces with forward-thinking and innovative partners who would use CHS intellectual property in the development of new and creative products. To implement this partnership, CHS must issue a license for the use of CHS copyright information.

How Do I Become a VAR (Value Added Reseller)?

If you are interested in becoming a Value Added Reseller (VAR) of CHS products there are two steps to follow in order to acquire a license:

Step # 1:
Complete an Application form “Permission to Access, Copy, Modify or Reproduce Canadian Hydrographic Service Material”  This application must be signed and faxed back to the CHS Client Services Branch. This application provides us with the information to determine what CHS products you need and how they will be used in the development of your product.

Step # 2:
A CHS Licensing Officer will contact you to discuss your faxed application. This is a good opportunity for the two parties to talk about the principles of the partnership, the type of license CHS would action and answer any questions you may have.

Types of Licenses

If you, as a VAR, would like to create new products using CHS data, there are three situations that may apply.

1. Creating a Paper Product from a Paper Source:
If you would like to create a paper product from a CHS paper product you require a "Paper to Paper Licence".  No distribution of any digital products is allowed under this license. 

2. Creating a Paper Product from a Digital Source:
If you would like to use CHS digital data to create a paper product, two licenses are required: The CHS "Digital to Paper License"; and a license from the CHS digital data distributor (see www.digitalocean.ca).

3. Creating a Digital Product from a Digital Source:
If you would like to use CHS digital data to create a digital product, you must acquire a license from the CHS digital data distributor at www.digitalocean.ca

Questions? See our VAR FAQ

NOTE: The PDF form can be completed by inputting the information and then printing the form (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader). Adobe Acrobat Reader does not save the data you enter into the form fields. In order to save this form as a working copy Adobe Acrobat must be installed on your computer.

This site is maintained by the Canadian Hydrographic Service.