SOCAN Tariff 21 Small Facilities Fee

Summary#

This notice from the Copyright Board sets the rates and basic rules for SOCAN Tariff 21 – Recreational Facilities Operated by a Municipality, School, College, University, Agricultural Society or Similar Community Organizations (2023–2025). It establishes a simple annual fee that small community-run recreational facilities can pay to play music from SOCAN’s repertoire during certain events for the years 2023–2025 (published November 25, 2023).

What it does#

• Allows a recreational facility run by a municipality, school, college, university, agricultural society or similar community group to pay a single annual royalty of $235.48 per facility for the covered events, if the facility’s gross revenue from those events in the year does not exceed $20,752.21.
• Covers performances of works in SOCAN’s repertoire during activities that would otherwise fall under Tariff 5.A, Tariff 7, Tariff 8, Tariff 9, Tariff 11.A or Tariff 19 (examples: exhibitions/fairs, skating rinks, receptions/conventions, sports events, circuses/ice shows, fitness and dance instruction).
• Requires payment by January 31 of the year covered by the tariff.
• Requires a report to SOCAN by January 31 of the following year confirming that the facility’s gross revenue did not exceed $20,752.21.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit the facility’s records, with reasonable notice during normal business hours.
• Charges interest on late payments at 1% above the Bank Rate (as published by the Bank of Canada), calculated daily and not compounded.
• States that amounts payable under this tariff are exclusive of any taxes.
• Says a facility that pays under this tariff does not have to pay separately under the listed other tariffs for the same events.

Who's affected#

• Community organizations that operate recreational facilities: municipalities, schools, colleges, universities, agricultural societies, and similar groups.
• Facilities that host events like fairs, skating, sports, receptions, circuses, fitness or dance classes and that use music from SOCAN’s repertoire.
• It is unclear from this notice what rate or rules apply to facilities whose gross revenue from these events exceeds $20,752.21 (the notice only gives the small-facility flat fee).

Why it matters#

• Small community-run venues get a clear, low-cost option ($235.48) to legally play music at common recreational events, which can simplify budgeting.
• The rule reduces the need to track multiple separate tariffs for the same events, but it does add reporting and allows audits, so organizations must keep basic records and meet the January 31 deadlines.
• Late payment can incur interest, so missed deadlines have a tangible cost.