SOCAN Concert Tariff (2025–2027)

Summary#

The Copyright Board has published the SOCAN Tariff 4.A – Popular Music Concerts (2025-2027). It sets the fees that promoters and venue operators must pay to SOCAN for live popular-music performances in concert halls, theatres and similar places for the years 2025–2027.

What it does#

• Defines a “free concert” and says featured DJs count as “performers.”
• Covers live in-person performances at concert halls, theatres and other entertainment venues, including open-air events, for 2025–2027.
• Explicitly includes performances by lip‑synching or miming.
• Excludes:
  • online streaming of music,
  • live performances in cabarets, cafes, clubs, restaurants and similar small establishments,
  • recorded music at events held mainly for dancing.
• Lets users choose one of two payment methods:
  • Per-event option:
    • Pay 3% of gross ticket sales for paid concerts, with a minimum fee of $49.93 per concert.
    • For free concerts, pay 3% of fees paid to performers, with the same minimum $49.93.
    • Pay and report within 30 days after the concert.
  • Annual option:
    • Pay 3% of gross ticket sales or of fees paid to performers, with a minimum annual amount of $85.59 per concert (the tariff describes this as a minimum annual royalty fee).
    • Estimate and pay by January 31 for the year, report previous-year totals, then reconcile and adjust by January 31 of the following year.
• Reporting required (within 30 days after each concert): names and contact details for promoters and venue owners, the acts that played, and titles of works performed (if available).
• Administrative rules:
  • SOCAN may audit books and records on reasonable notice.
  • Late payments accrue interest at 1% above the Bank Rate as published by the Bank of Canada, calculated daily and not compounded.
  • Fees do not include taxes.

Who's affected#

• Small and large concert promoters and venue operators who run concerts in concert halls, theatres or open-air venues.
• Organizers of festivals and celebrations that present concerts (including free concerts).
• Featured DJs when their name is used to promote an event.
• Performers indirectly, since these fees go to the rights-collecting group SOCAN.
• Not directly affected: restaurants, bars, clubs, cafes and similar places where the tariff does not apply; online music services (this tariff excludes Internet communications).

Why it matters#

• It sets a clear price: 3% of ticket revenue (or of fees paid to performers for free concerts), with minimum charges that could be meaningful for small shows ($49.93 per event or $85.59 under the annual option).
• Promoters must file timely reports and may face audits, adding administrative work and potential costs.
• Regular presenters can choose the annual option to smooth payments, while one-off events will likely use the per-event option.
• The tariff ensures songwriters and publishers represented by SOCAN get paid when their works are performed live.