SOCAN event fees for receptions and shows

Summary#

The Copyright Board published the royalty rates SOCAN can charge venues for playing music at receptions, conventions, assemblies and fashion shows for the period 2018 to 2022. The decision, published on August 27, 2022, sets per‑event fees that range from $22.06 to $187.55 depending on room size and whether there is dancing.

What it does#

• Establishes the per‑event royalty for performing works in SOCAN’s repertoire at receptions, conventions, assemblies and fashion shows for 2018 to 2022. Fees are charged per event, or per day for fashion shows, as follows:
  • 1–100 people: $22.06 (without dancing) / $44.13 (with dancing)
  • 101–300 people: $31.72 / $63.49
  • 301–500 people: $66.19 / $132.39
  • Over 500: $93.78 / $187.55
• Requires the user (the venue or event operator) to file a report with SOCAN no later than 30 days after each quarter’s end. The report must show the number of events with and without dancing, number of fashion‑show days, room capacity as authorized (for example under a liquor licence), and payment of the royalties.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records on reasonable notice during normal business hours to check the reports and payments.
• Charges interest on late payments, calculated daily at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate effective on the last day of the previous month (as published by the Bank of Canada). Interest does not compound.
• States that all amounts are exclusive of any federal, provincial or other taxes or levies.

Who's affected#

• Venues and event organizers who played music from SOCAN’s repertoire at receptions, conventions, assemblies or fashion shows between 2018 and 2022. This includes places like hotels, conference centres, banquet halls and similar establishments.
• It is unclear from the notice whether small private gatherings or non‑commercial events are covered; the tariff refers to the room capacity authorized under an establishment’s documentation.

Why it matters#

• Venues that held qualifying events in those years may owe per‑event fees and must have kept or provided quarterly reports to SOCAN. That can affect past accounting and tax records.
• The audit right and interest on late payments mean that non‑compliance can lead to additional costs.
• For future event planning, organizers should account for these kinds of music licensing fees when budgeting for receptions, conventions, assemblies and fashion shows.