SOCAN Tariff: Passenger Ship Music Fees

Summary#

The Copyright Board has published SOCAN Tariff 13.B – Public Conveyances - Passenger Ships (2023-2025). It sets the licence fee for playing recorded music on passenger ships at $1.32 per person per year, with a minimum annual royalty of $78.75, for the years 2023 to 2025.

What it does#

• Sets the royalty for playing recorded music on board passenger ships at $1.32 per person per year (based on a ship’s authorized passenger capacity).
• Establishes a minimum annual payment of $78.75 per ship.
• Reduces the royalty for ships that operate for less than 12 months in a year by one twelfth for each full month with no operations.
• Requires the operator to report authorized passenger capacity and pay the fee on or before January 31 of the year covered by the tariff.
• Gives SOCAN the right to audit a user’s books and records on reasonable notice during normal business hours to check the reported information.
• Applies interest to late payments at a rate equal to 1% above the Bank Rate published by the Bank of Canada (calculated daily, not compounded).
• States that fees do not include any federal, provincial or other taxes.

Who's affected#

• Passenger ship operators such as cruise lines, ferry companies, tour boat operators and other businesses that play recorded music on ships.
• SOCAN, the music rights society that collects these royalties.
• Passengers indirectly, if operators choose to pass on the cost through fares or fees.
• If unclear: the notice does not list any exemptions, so smaller operators and seasonal services should check whether the tariff applies to them.

Why it matters#

• It sets a clear, simple per-passenger fee for music on ships, so operators can estimate yearly licence costs using their ship’s authorized capacity.
• Seasonal operators get a built-in reduction for months not operating, which can lower costs.
• Non-payment can lead to audits and interest charges, so operators need to file the required report and pay on time.
• For the public, this can affect ticket prices or the availability of on-board music if operators adjust services to manage costs.