SOCAN Tariff for Circuses and Shows (2023–25)

Summary#

The Copyright Board published SOCAN Tariff 11.A for music used at circuses, ice shows, fireworks displays, sound‑and‑light and similar events for 2023 to 2025. It sets a royalty of 1.6% of gross ticket sales, with a minimum fee of $78.70 per event.

What it does#

• Covers the performance, in person or by recorded music, of works in SOCAN’s repertoire at circuses, ice shows, fireworks displays, multimedia/sound‑and‑light shows and similar events during 2023 to 2025.
• Requires event organizers to pay royalties equal to 1.6% of gross receipts from ticket sales (sales and amusement taxes excluded), subject to a minimum of $78.70 per event.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records on reasonable notice and during normal business hours to check royalty payments.
• If payments are late, interest applies at 1% above the Bank Rate (as published by the Bank of Canada), calculated daily and not compounded.
• States that amounts payable do not include federal, provincial or other governmental taxes.
• Published under section 70.1 of the Copyright Act (this is the legal basis shown in the notice).

Who's affected#

• Organizers, promoters, venue operators and ticket sellers for circuses, ice shows, fireworks displays, sound‑and‑light shows and similar paid events that use music from SOCAN’s repertoire.
• Anyone who runs such an event between 2023 and 2025 and uses recorded music or live music covered by SOCAN.
• It is not clear from the notice whether there are exemptions for charities, community groups or other special cases.

Why it matters#

• Event operators will need to budget for a royalty equal to 1.6% of ticket revenues or at least $78.70 per event. That can raise the cost of staging small events or reduce margins for promoters.
• The audit and interest rules mean organizers must keep clear sales records and pay on time to avoid extra charges.
• For people who buy tickets, the tariff could indirectly affect ticket prices if organizers pass the cost on to customers.