SOCAN Live Concert Royalties (2018–2024)

Summary#

The Copyright Board published the SOCAN Tariff 4.A (2018-2024). It sets how much concert organizers must pay to SOCAN when popular music is performed live at concert halls, theatres and similar venues, and gives two ways to calculate and pay those fees.

What it does#

• Covers live performances by in-person performers at concert halls, theatres and other places that present entertainment, including open-air events, for the years 2018–2024.
• Sets the core rate at 3% of gross ticket sales for paid concerts, or 3% of the royalty fees paid to performers for free concerts.
• Gives two payment options:
  • Per-event option: pay within 30 days after each concert; minimum fee per concert $35.
  • Annual option: estimate and prepay by January 31 for the year, with a year-end reconciliation by January 31 of the following year; minimum annual fee $60.
• Requires promoters or venue operators to report basic event information (promoter and venue contact details, acts, and titles of works performed) within 30 days after a concert.
• Allows SOCAN to audit records to check reported receipts and royalties.
• Charges interest on late payments at 1% above the Bank Rate (as published by the Bank of Canada). All amounts are shown before taxes.

Who's affected#

• Concert promoters, venue owners and event producers who stage popular-music concerts in halls, theatres and similar venues.
• Festivals and organizers of free concerts, because royalties can be calculated from payments made to performers.
• Featured DJs are treated as performers when their identity is part of event promotion.
• Does not apply to live performances in small hospitality venues like cafes, bars, restaurants or to recorded-music events held mainly for dancing.

Why it matters#

• It directly affects the cost of putting on live popular-music concerts. Organizers must include the 3% fee (and minimums of $35 or $60) in budgets and ticket-price decisions.
• Smaller promoters and festivals should note the two payment choices (per-event vs annual) because each affects cash flow and paperwork differently.
• The reporting, audit and interest rules mean organizers need to keep clear records and pay on time to avoid extra charges.
• The tariff clarifies what kinds of events are covered and which venues are excluded, so event planners can determine whether they owe these royalties.