Royalties for Single SOCAN Work (2025–27)

Summary#

The Copyright Board has published the royalty schedule called SOCAN Tariff 14 – Performance of an Individual Work (2025–2027). It sets the fees event holders must pay when a single work from SOCAN’s repertoire is performed at an event, with amounts that depend on audience size and how long the performance lasts.

What it does#

• Sets fixed royalties for the performance, in 2025–2027, of a single work or an excerpt from SOCAN’s repertoire when that work is the only SOCAN song performed at an event.
• For performances that do not last more than 3 minutes, fees are set by audience size and by whether the music is played by a group/orchestra or by a single instrument. Examples from the schedule:
  • 500 or less people: $8.20 (group) and $4.17 (single instrument)
  • 25,001 to 50,000 people: $61.37 (group) and $26.79 (single instrument)
  • 800,001 or more people: $204.20 (group) and $102.18 (single instrument)
• If the performance lasts more than 3 minutes, the base fee is increased by a percentage depending on duration:
  • Over 3 and not more than 7 minutes: 75% increase
  • Over 7 and not more than 15 minutes: 125% increase
  • Over 15 and not more than 30 minutes: 200% increase
  • Over 30 and not more than 60 minutes: 300% increase
  • Over 60 and not more than 90 minutes: 400% increase
  • Over 90 and not more than 120 minutes: 500% increase
• If more than one SOCAN work is performed at an event, those performances are charged under different SOCAN tariffs (not this one).
• Other terms:
  • SOCAN may audit a user’s books to check royalty payments.
  • Late payments bear interest calculated daily at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (as published by the Bank of Canada) on the last day of the previous month; interest does not compound.
  • All amounts are quoted before any taxes or other government levies.

Who's affected#

• Event organizers, promoters and venues that run events where only one SOCAN work is performed — for example, a single-song showcase or a solo performance limited to one SOCAN song.
• Small solo performers or single-instrument acts if their promoters or venues are required to cover these fees (organizers often pay SOCAN fees, but costs can be passed on).
• Larger promoters and institutions that book single-work events and need to budget for these specific per-event royalties.
• It is unclear how often real events will fall under this exact tariff, because many events feature multiple SOCAN works and would instead be covered by other tariffs.

Why it matters#

• The schedule gives clear, fixed fees for a narrow case: when only one SOCAN work is played at an event. That helps organizers estimate costs ahead of time for that situation.
• Fees rise with audience size and rise sharply if the performance is longer than 3 minutes. That can affect budgeting for concerts, festivals, or special single-song events.
• The audit and interest rules mean organizers who don’t report or pay on time could face extra charges.