SOCAN comedy and magic show tariff

Summary#

The Copyright Board published SOCAN TARIFF 11.B – COMEDY SHOWS AND MAGIC SHOWS (2023-2025) in the Canada Gazette on August 27, 2022. It sets a flat royalty of $45.94 per event for the use of music from SOCAN’s repertoire at comedy or magic events where music is incidental, payable within 30 days after each event.

What it does#

• Establishes a per-event fee of $45.94 for performances (live or recorded) of works in SOCAN’s repertoire at events whose main focus is comedy or magic, for the years 2023 to 2025.
• Requires that the fee be paid no later than 30 days after the event.
• Excludes comedy or magic acts that are primarily musical (those are not covered by this tariff).
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records, on reasonable notice and during normal business hours, to check payments.
• Says late payments incur interest calculated daily at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (published by the Bank of Canada) and that interest does not compound.
• States all amounts are exclusive of any federal, provincial, or other taxes or levies.

Who's affected#

• Event organizers, venue operators, promoters and festival managers who run comedy shows or magic shows that use recorded music or have incidental live music.
• Comedy clubs and small venues that host such events.
• Performers who are principally musical are not covered by this tariff; the rule does not apply to primarily musical acts.
• SOCAN (the music rights society) is the collecting body enforcing the tariff.

Why it matters#

• Organizers of comedy and magic events now have a clear, flat fee to budget for music use: $45.94 per event for 2023 to 2025.
• Small venues and promoters who use background or incidental music will see a new recurring cost tied to each event.
• The audit and interest rules mean organizers should keep records and pay on time to avoid extra charges.
• The tariff ensures songwriters and music publishers represented by SOCAN are paid when their music is used at these non-musical live events.