SOCAN Tariff for Passenger Ships (2023–2025)

Summary#

This Canada Gazette notice publishes SOCAN Tariff 13.B – Public Conveyances - Passenger Ships (2023–2025). It sets the fee that operators must pay to play recorded music on passenger ships for the years 2023 to 2025. The Gazette entry was published on November 4, 2023.

What it does#

• Sets a royalty of $1.32 per person per year for playing recorded music on a passenger ship.
• Requires a minimum annual royalty of $78.75 per ship.
• Reduces the royalty for ships that operate less than 12 months in a year by one twelfth for each full month they do not operate.
• Requires the ship operator to report the ship’s authorized passenger capacity and pay the royalty on or before January 31 of the year covered by the tariff.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit operators’ books and records on reasonable notice to verify reports and payments.
• Charges interest on late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate (as published by the Bank of Canada), calculated daily and not compounded.
• States that all amounts are exclusive of any taxes or government levies.

Who's affected#

• Operators of passenger ships that play recorded music. This includes cruise lines, ferry operators, and other companies running passenger vessels.
• Not passengers directly; the fee is charged to ship operators. Passengers might notice effects indirectly if operators adjust prices or onboard services.
• The public or other groups are not named in the notice; if it’s unclear whether a specific vessel type is covered, operators should check the tariff text or consult SOCAN.

Why it matters#

• Ship operators need to budget for this recurring fee if they play recorded music onboard. The per-passenger rate looks small, but it adds up across many passengers or many ships.
• The rules set clear reporting, audit, and late-payment terms. Operators who miss the January 31 payment could face interest charges and audits.
• The tariff is how creators and rights-holders represented by SOCAN get paid when their recorded music is used on passenger ships.