SOCAN Tariff 14: Single-Work Performance Fees

Summary#

The Copyright Board published the schedule for SOCAN Tariff 14 – Performance of an Individual Work (2025-2027). It sets the royalties to be paid when a single SOCAN work (or excerpt) is performed at a single event during 2025‑2027, with rates that vary by audience size and by how long the work is performed.

What it does#

• Establishes base fees for a single work performed at one event when that work is the only piece from SOCAN’s repertoire performed.
• For performances that do not last more than three minutes, the royalty depends on audience size and type of performance:
  • 500 or less — $8.20 (musical group/orchestra) or $4.17 (single instrument)
  • 501 to 1 000 — $9.61 or $6.30
  • 1 001 to 5 000 — $20.49 or $10.24
  • 5 001 to 10 000 — $28.60 or $14.34
  • 10 001 to 15 000 — $36.79 or $18.44
  • 15 001 to 20 000 — $44.90 or $22.45
  • 20 001 to 25 000 — $53.02 or $26.56
  • 25 001 to 50 000 — $61.37 or $26.79
  • 50 001 to 100 000 — $69.65 or $34.82
  • 100 001 to 200 000 — $90.92 or $40.81
  • 200 001 to 300 000 — $102.18 or $51.05
  • 300 001 to 400 000 — $122.50 or $61.22
  • 400 001 to 500 000 — $143.07 or $71.53
  • 500 001 to 600 000 — $163.46 or $81.62
  • 600 001 to 800 000 — $183.80 or $91.30
  • 800 001 or more — $204.20 or $102.18
• If the performance lasts more than three minutes, the base fee is increased by a percentage based on length:
  • Over 3 and not more than 7 minutes — 75%
  • Over 7 and not more than 15 minutes — 125%
  • Over 15 and not more than 30 minutes — 200%
  • Over 30 and not more than 60 minutes — 300%
  • Over 60 and not more than 90 minutes — 400%
  • Over 90 and not more than 120 minutes — 500%
• Additional terms:
  • SOCAN may audit a user’s books to check royalty statements.
  • Late payments incur interest at 1% above the Bank Rate (as published by the Bank of Canada); interest is calculated daily and does not compound.
  • All amounts are exclusive of any federal, provincial or other taxes or levies.

Who's affected#

• Performers and musicians whose repertoire includes works represented by SOCAN.
• Event organizers, venue operators, promoters and presenters who stage events where a single SOCAN work is performed.
• Small community events and large concerts alike — the tariff scales with audience size and performance length.
• It is not stated if there are exceptions beyond the tariff’s text; if unclear who qualifies as a “user,” affected parties may want to check with SOCAN or the Copyright Board.

Why it matters#

• The tariff tells event organizers exactly what fee to expect if they play only one SOCAN work at an event. That helps budget planning for concerts, fairs, fundraisers and other live events.
• Fees rise with audience size and with how long the work is played, so both small recitals and large shows can be affected differently.
• The audit and interest rules mean organizers should keep clear records and pay on time to avoid extra charges.