SOCAN Classical Concerts Tariff (2018–2024)

Summary#

This Canada Gazette supplement from the Copyright Board publishes the approved rates that SOCAN will collect for live classical music concerts for the period 2018–2024. It sets percentage rates, minimum fees and annual fee options that concert presenters, orchestras and presenting organizations must use when music in SOCAN’s repertoire is performed.

What it does#

• Sets a per-concert fee for individual classical concerts:
  • 1.56% of gross ticket sales for paid concerts, with a minimum of $35 per concert.
  • 1.56% of fees paid to performers for free concerts, with a minimum of $35 per concert.
  • Explicitly covers performances by lip-synching or miming.
• Establishes an annual fee option for orchestras (paid semi-annually by January 31 and July 31). The per-concert amount depends on the orchestra’s annual budget:
  • Budget $0 to $100,000 → $73
  • Budget $100,001 to $500,000 → $117
  • Budget $500,001 to $1,000,000 → $191
  • Budget $1,000,001 to $2,000,000 → $238
  • Budget $2,000,001 to $5,000,000 → $398
  • Budget $5,000,001 to $10,000,000 → $436
  • Budget over $10,000,000 → $477
  • If an orchestra pays under this option, it does not also pay the per-concert fee above.
• Sets an annual fee option for presenting organizations running a season:
  • 0.96% of gross ticket sales, subscriptions and membership revenues for all concerts in the season, with a minimum annual fee of $35.
  • For free seasons, 0.96% of fees paid to performers, with the same $35 minimum.
  • Presenting organizations must file an estimate by January 31 and reconcile actuals by January 31 of the following year; small estimates ($100 or less) must be paid with the estimate.
  • If this annual option is used, the per-concert fee above does not apply.
• Reporting and payment rules:
  • Users must report and pay royalties and provide certain contact and event information no later than 30 days after a concert.
  • SOCAN may audit users’ records on reasonable notice.
• Interest: late amounts carry interest calculated daily (rate tied to the Bank Rate).

Who's affected#

• SOCAN (the rights-collecting organization) — as the collector of these royalties.
• Concert presenters and promoters of classical music (paid and free concerts).
• Orchestras with an annual budget and series of concerts.
• Presenting organizations that run an artistic season (theaters, concert series).
• Venues and owners where concerts take place, when they are the user or provide information.
• Performers (singers, musicians, dancers, conductors) indirectly, because fees for free concerts are based on fees paid to performers.
• Festivals and events that include free classical concerts.

Why it matters#

• These rules determine how much concert presenters must pay for performing copyrighted music in SOCAN’s repertoire. That affects ticket pricing, budgeting and how seasons are organized.
• The two main models (per-concert percentage or annual/orchestra fees) give different options depending on size and frequency of performances. Small presenters may pay little; larger organizations will need to plan for predictable per-concert or per-season charges.
• Reporting and audit rights mean presenters must keep records and meet payment deadlines, or face interest on late payments.
• The tariff applies for the period 2018–2024, so organizations should check which option fits their operations for those years.