Private Copying Tariff for Blank CDs

Summary#

The Canada Gazette published the text of the CPCC – Private Copying Tariff (2025-2027) on November 8, 2025. It sets a levy of 29¢ per blank recordable CD-type disc (CD‑R/CD‑RW and audio variants) for 2025, 2026 and 2027, and explains how the money will be collected and shared with music right‑holders.

What it does#

• Sets a per‑disc levy of 29¢ for each CD‑R, CD‑RW, CD‑R Audio or CD‑RW Audio for 2025, 2026 and 2027.
• Names CPCC (the Canadian Private Copying Collective) as the collecting body that will receive the levies.
• Specifies how collected levies are split:
  • 58.2% to be shared between SOCAN and CMRRA (for eligible authors).
  • 23.8% to Re:Sound Music Licensing Company (for eligible performers).
  • 18.0% to Re:Sound Music Licensing Company (for eligible makers).
• Exempts levies on media exported from Canada and media sold to societies or organizations that represent people with a perceptual disability.
• Requires manufacturers and importers to report sales and pay levies according to two‑month accounting periods (with an option to pay every semester if they paid less than $2,000 in the previous semester).
• Requires reporting of business contact details and numbers/types of media sold, and keeping original records for six years.
• Allows CPCC to audit records (and to recover audit costs if understatements exceed 10%).
• Sets an interest rule for late payments equal to 1% above the Bank of Canada Bank Rate (effective on the last day of the previous month).

Who's affected#

• Manufacturers and importers of blank audio recording media (especially those selling CD‑R/CD‑RW and audio CD blanks) — they must collect, report, and pay the levy.
• Retailers and distributors may see cost changes passed on to them or to consumers.
• Music right‑holders: SOCAN, CMRRA, and Re:Sound will receive portions of the collected levies.
• Organizations representing people with perceptual disabilities and goods exported from Canada are explicitly exempt.
• Consumers who buy blank discs could indirectly pay slightly more per disc because of the levy.

Why it matters#

• The levy is small per disc (29¢), but if many discs are sold the total funds can be meaningful income for songwriters, performers and makers.
• Businesses that make or import blank media must add new reporting, record‑keeping and payment steps. That is an administrative and cash‑flow consideration, especially for smaller firms.
• The tariff clarifies who gets paid and in what proportions, so it affects the flow of royalties in the Canadian music ecosystem.
• The exemptions and confidentiality rules affect which sales are chargeable and what business information is publicly visible.