SOCAN Tariff 14 — Single-Work Fees

Summary#

Copyright Board notice sets the fees that must be paid for the performance of a single SOCAN work at an event. The document, titled SOCAN TARIFF 14 – PERFORMANCE OF AN INDIVIDUAL WORK (2025-2027), lists the royalties to be charged for performances in the years 2025–2027.

What it does#

• Establishes fixed royalties when an individual work (or an excerpt) from SOCAN’s repertoire is the only SOCAN work performed at a single event.
• For performances of 3 minutes or less, fees depend on the event’s potential audience and the type of performer (musical group/orchestra vs single instrument). Examples:
  • For very small audiences (up to 500) the fees are $8.20 (musical group) or $4.17 (single instrument).
  • For very large audiences (800,001 or more) the fees are $204.20 (musical group) or $102.18 (single instrument).
  • There are several stepped audience brackets in between with correspondingly higher fees.
• If the performance lasts longer than 3 minutes, the basic fee is increased by a percentage based on duration:
  • Over 3 and up to 7 minutes: 75% increase
  • Over 7 and up to 15 minutes: 125% increase
  • Over 15 and up to 30 minutes: 200% increase
  • Over 30 and up to 60 minutes: 300% increase
  • Over 60 and up to 90 minutes: 400% increase
  • Over 90 and up to 120 minutes: 500% increase
• If more than one SOCAN work is performed at an event, this tariff does not apply and other tariffs are used instead.
• SOCAN can audit the payer’s records on reasonable notice. Late payments incur interest calculated daily at 1% above the Bank Rate (effective on the last day of the previous month). Interest does not compound. All amounts are shown before taxes.

Who's affected#

• Event organizers and promoters who present a single SOCAN-licensed song at an event.
• Venues, concert halls, festival operators, and anyone using a device to perform a single SOCAN work at an event.
• Performers and musical groups who are part of such events may be indirectly affected if organizers pass costs on to them.
• It is unclear from the notice whether certain online-only or hybrid events are treated differently; organizers in those cases may need to check the full tariff details.

Why it matters#

• Organizers must budget for these per-event fees when a single SOCAN work is performed. Small events may pay only a few dollars; very large events can pay over $200 for a single work.
• Longer performances can significantly raise the fee (from 75% up to 500% extra), so the length of a single song or set matters to cost.
• The audit and interest rules mean missed or late payments can become more costly.
• If you plan events that use SOCAN-licensed music, this tariff tells you what to expect to pay when only one SOCAN work is played; if you plan to play multiple SOCAN songs, different rates will apply.