SOCAN files for interim tariff to license music used by online broadcasting services

Eric Baptiste, CEO of SOCAN, today announced that SOCAN has filed an application on behalf of its members to the Copyright Board of Canada for an interim tariff to enable it to license the use of music on websites that profit from audiovisual webcasting and user-generated content services. While tariffs applying to the use of music in this manner are currently being considered by the Copyright Board, the interim tariff would accelerate the compensation to music creators and publishers for the use of their work and would give businesses some assessment of the royalty payments necessary to run their operations.

“Like many other small businesses in Canada, music creators and publishers have suffered financial losses associated with the current economic climate, as well as uncompensated music file sharing over the past decade,” said Mr. Baptiste. “In addition to this, compensation for the use of their works by for-profit online broadcasting services has been delayed for years. Further delays in compensation would create further, undue financial difficulties for them.”

A key objective of Tariff 22D (audiovisual webcasting) and Tariff 22G (user-generated content services) is to provide businesses offering online broadcasting services with comparable licensing opportunities to those used by traditional broadcasters. The interim tariff would contribute to establishing a more level playing field between these two significant groups of music users. Through the interim tariffs, SOCAN aims to enable online businesses that earn revenues from content that includes SOCAN’s repertoire to use that content legally and to compensate its members accordingly.