SOCAN is the Canadian copyright collective for music.
We administer the performing rights for Canadians, representing
both music creators (composers, lyricists or both) and music publishers.
We administer the performing rights, collect the licence fees in Canada and pay the
royalties to the creators and publishers of the musical works performed
in Canada and around the world.
We’re a not-for-profit, independent organization run by a board of directors elected by thousands of composers, lyricists, songwriters and music publishers across Canada. SOCAN is entrusted by its members and similar copyright collectives around the world with the performing rights in their musical works.
Without SOCAN you, the music user, would have to get permission from every composer, songwriter, lyricist and music publisher for every musical work you use. Think how time-consuming and expensive that would be.
Our job is to work with you to determine what kind of licensing arrangement you require. We help you understand exactly what you need to do, how to do it and how to determine what the cost will be.
A licence is affordable. The cost of a SOCAN licence depends on a range of factors, from where and how the musical work is being performed, to the seating capacity, and even the kind of event you're hosting.
In fact, there are more than 20 different tariffs set by the Copyright Board to accommodate the different uses of music. You may need more than one licence depending on how you use music. E-mail us to be sure.
SOCAN licences only apply for the public performances and telecommunication to the public of copyright-protected musical works contained within SOCAN's repertoire. Copyright also protects neighbouring rights in sound recordings and reproduction rights relating to sound recordings and musical works. The SOCAN licence does not cover these uses. A list of organizations, including those that administer other rights pertaining to music, is available on our Music Industry Associations page.
We’re a not-for-profit, independent organization run by a board of directors elected by thousands of composers, lyricists, songwriters and music publishers across Canada. SOCAN is entrusted by its members and similar copyright collectives around the world with the performing rights in their musical works.
Without SOCAN you, the music user, would have to get permission from every composer, songwriter, lyricist and music publisher for every musical work you use. Think how time-consuming and expensive that would be.
Our job is to work with you to determine what kind of licensing arrangement you require. We help you understand exactly what you need to do, how to do it and how to determine what the cost will be.
A licence is affordable. The cost of a SOCAN licence depends on a range of factors, from where and how the musical work is being performed, to the seating capacity, and even the kind of event you're hosting.
In fact, there are more than 20 different tariffs set by the Copyright Board to accommodate the different uses of music. You may need more than one licence depending on how you use music. E-mail us to be sure.
SOCAN licences only apply for the public performances and telecommunication to the public of copyright-protected musical works contained within SOCAN's repertoire. Copyright also protects neighbouring rights in sound recordings and reproduction rights relating to sound recordings and musical works. The SOCAN licence does not cover these uses. A list of organizations, including those that administer other rights pertaining to music, is available on our Music Industry Associations page.