SOCAN Tariff 14 — Single-Work Fees

Summary#

This notice publishes SOCAN Tariff 14 — Performance of an Individual Work (2018–2024), a schedule of royalties that SOCAN can collect for public performances of a single musical work. It sets specific fees by audience size and by how long the work is performed. The item was published on April 17, 2021 by the Copyright Board.

What it does#

• Sets fixed fees for the public performance in Canada of a single work from SOCAN’s repertoire for the years 2018–2024.
• For performances that last 3 minutes or less, it gives a table of fees by potential audience size and by type of performer:
  • For a musical group or orchestra (with or without vocal accompaniment):
    • up to 500: $5.35
    • 501 to 1,000: $6.27
    • 1,001 to 5,000: $13.37
    • 5,001 to 10,000: $18.66
    • 10,001 to 15,000: $24.01
    • 15,001 to 20,000: $29.30
    • 20,001 to 25,000: $34.60
    • 25,001 to 50,000: $40.05
    • 50,001 to 100,000: $45.45
    • 100,001 to 200,000: $59.33
    • 200,001 to 300,000: $66.68
    • 300,001 to 400,000: $79.94
    • 400,001 to 500,000: $93.36
    • 500,001 to 600,000: $106.67
    • 600,001 to 800,000: $119.94
    • 800,001 or more: $133.25
  • For a single instrument (with or without vocal accompaniment):
    • up to 500: $2.72
    • 501 to 1,000: $4.11
    • 1,001 to 5,000: $6.68
    • 5,001 to 10,000: $9.36
    • 10,001 to 15,000: $12.03
    • 15,001 to 20,000: $14.65
    • 20,001 to 25,000: $17.33
    • 25,001 to 50,000: $17.48
    • 50,001 to 100,000: $22.72
    • 100,001 to 200,000: $26.63
    • 200,001 to 300,000: $33.31
    • 300,001 to 400,000: $39.95
    • 400,001 to 500,000: $46.68
    • 500,001 to 600,000: $53.26
    • 600,001 to 800,000: $59.58
    • 800,001 or more: $66.68
• If a performance lasts more than 3 minutes, the base rates are increased by:
  • over 3 and up to 7 minutes: 75%
  • over 7 and up to 15 minutes: 125%
  • over 15 and up to 30 minutes: 200%
  • over 30 and up to 60 minutes: 300%
  • over 60 and up to 90 minutes: 400%
  • over 90 and up to 120 minutes: 500%
• Other rules included:
  • Fees are exclusive of taxes.
  • Fees are due when the licence is granted; late amounts bear interest at 1% above the Bank Rate (daily, non-compounding).
  • SOCAN may terminate a licence on 30 days written notice for breach.
  • SOCAN may audit a licensee’s books on reasonable notice to check fees owed.
• If more than one work from SOCAN’s repertoire is performed at an event, other tariffs apply (this tariff only covers the case where a single work is the sole SOCAN work performed).

Who's affected#

• SOCAN, as the organization that collects these royalties.
• Event organizers, venues and promoters who stage public performances where only one SOCAN work is played.
• Musicians and groups (both multi‑instrument ensembles and solo performers) who perform publicly and may need a licence under this tariff.
• It is less relevant to events where multiple SOCAN works are played, because different tariffs apply in that case.

Why it matters#

• It tells event organizers how much they must pay to legally present a single SOCAN work in public. That affects budgeting for concerts, fundraisers, community events, and similar gatherings.
• The fee scale is tied to audience size and performance length, so small informal events can face very small charges (for example $5.35 for a group performing to up to 500 people for 3 minutes or less), while large events pay more.
• The notice also clarifies payment timing, interest for late payment, termination rights and audit rights — practical details that matter to license-holders and organizers when planning and managing events.