Quasi-transactional
Quasi-transactional has no recognized legal meaning. The nearest real concepts are the different ways rights are transferred or shared: a sale transfers ownership, while a lease or licence grants rights to use property or intellectual property for a period while the owner keeps ownership.
How BC law treats it
Leases and licences are governed by their terms and the common law, and an assignment of copyright, or a licence granting an interest in it, must be in writing signed by the owner under the Copyright Act, RSC 1985, c C-42, s. 13(4).
What it means for your business
Choosing between a sale, lease or licence affects ownership, tax and what happens when the arrangement ends.
Risks and common mistakes
Labelling a deal a licence when it operates as a sale, or the reverse, can create disputes about ownership and termination rights.
Fulcrum's business contract lawyers can help with these issues.
General information about British Columbia and Canadian law, current to October 2026. It is not legal advice.
