NOTICE OF GROUNDS FOR PROPOSED TARIFF Filed with the Copyright Board by SOCAN on 2024-10-15 pursuant to Rule 15 of Copyright Board Rules of Practice and Procedure
SOCAN Tariff 8 – Receptions, Conventions, Assemblies and Fashion Shows (2026-2028) 1. Description of Uses Covered by the Proposed Tariff This tariff applies to public performances of any or all of the musical works in SOCAN’s repertoire as part of events at receptions, conventions, assemblies and fashion shows.
2. Description of Users / Groups of Users Covered by the Proposed Tariff Users are event organizers or hosting venues who organize or authorize the public performance of musical works at receptions, conventions, assemblies and fashion shows. Importantly, it is the nature of the use, and not the nature of the user, that determines whether the tariff applies.
3. Explanation of How Royalties are Determined The proposed royalty rate for 2026-2028 is a fee per event (or per day for fashion shows), which is calculated based on the capacity of the room. The royalty rate differs between events or fashion shows without and with dancing. The proposed royalty rate is as follows:
Room Capacity (seating and standing)
1–100
101–300
301–500
Over 500
Fee per Event
Without Dancing
$31.95
$45.94
$95.87
$135.83
With Dancing
$63.92
$91.96
$191.76
$271.65
The proposed royalties are based on the previously approved tariff. The royalties have been increased since the last approved rate increase, which was approved in 2017 for the years 2013 to 2017 (and, more specifically, the rate increase for the year 2015). This proposed increase accounts for inflation according to the Board’s established CPI-adjustment formula and the Board’s default methodology as published in Inflation Adjustment to Royalty Rates – Default Methodology. The inflation calculation commences in January 2014. SOCAN has estimated the appropriate inflationary increase based on projected CPI for years that full CPI data is not available. According to the Board’s adjustment formula, this figure will likely change once actual CPI data is available. Notwithstanding the proposed royalty rates, SOCAN requests that the Board certify the maximum inflationary increase that SOCAN is entitled
Published by the Copyright Board of Canada, pursuant to subsection 17(2) of the Copyright Board Rules of Practice and Procedure, on November 15, 2024.
to under the Board’s adjustment formula at the time of approval of the tariff and that such inflation calculation commence as of the last inflationary increase to the royalty rates.
4. Submissions on the Collection of Information The proposed tariff requires users to report, 30 days after the end of each quarter, the actual number of events with and without dancing and of the number of days on which a fashion show was held. Users are also required to report the room capacity (seating and standing) authorized under the establishment’s liquor licence or any other document issued by a competent authority for this type of establishment.
The information collected under the proposed tariff is needed to calculate and verify the applicable royalties.
5. Explanation of Changes from Previously Approved Tariff 1) The explanation for the proposed rates for 2026-2028 is found above.
Published by the Copyright Board of Canada, pursuant to subsection 17(2) of the Copyright Board Rules of Practice and Procedure, on November 15, 2024.