Private Copying Levy for Recordable CDs (2022-2024)

Summary#

This is the CPCC – Private Copying Tariff (2022-2024). It sets a levy of 29¢ per recordable CD-type disc for 2022, 2023, and 2024, collected by CPCC and split among music rights organizations.

What it does#

• Imposes a levy of 29¢ on each CD-R, CD-RW, CD-R Audio or CD-RW Audio for 2022, 2023 and 2024.
• Exempts levies on media that are exported and on media sold to societies for people with a perceptual disability.
• Designates CPCC as the collecting body under the Copyright Act.
• Directs how collected money is shared:
  • 58.2% to be shared between SOCAN and CMRRA for eligible authors;
  • 23.8% to Re:Sound for eligible performers;
  • 18.0% to Re:Sound for eligible makers.
• Sets accounting periods of two months and says payments are due by the last day of the month after each accounting period.
• Allows manufacturers or importers who paid less than $2,000 in the previous semester to opt for semesterly payments.
• Requires manufacturers/importers to keep records for six years and allows audits; if underpayments exceed 10%, the audited party must pay audit costs within 30 days.
• Charges interest on late payments at 1% above the Bank Rate, calculated daily and not compounded.
• Includes confidentiality rules for reporting, but says corporate name and the types of media reported are not confidential.

Who's affected#

• Manufacturers and importers of blank audio recording media (the tariff lists CD-R and similar discs explicitly).
• CPCC (the collector) and the collective societies named (SOCAN, CMRRA, Re:Sound) that receive the money.
• Societies for people with perceptual disabilities are explicitly treated as exempt recipients.
• It is possible (but not stated as required) that retailers or consumers could feel an effect if manufacturers or importers pass the levy on in prices.

Why it matters#

• The levy provides a revenue stream to pay songwriters, performers and makers when people make private copies on blank discs.
• It creates an ongoing cost and reporting duty for businesses that make or import blank discs, including record-keeping and possible audits.
• For ordinary buyers of blank CDs, the levy could affect retail prices if producers pass the cost along.
• The tariff covers a fixed period (2022–2024), so the rules and rates apply for that timeframe.