For the past few years, SOCAN has been proud to partner with Dance Saskatchewan by offering a licensing agreement for members of Dance Saskatchewan. The agreement surrounds SOCAN’s Tariff 19 and allows individual members to have an annual performance licence at the “minimum cost”. Without this agreement, members would be paying fees based on the average number of students, per week, per room, multiplied by $2.14. In most cases, the savings are substantial. Here are a few questions and answers that have come up surrounding this agreement.
Q. What is the advantage of participating in the agreement?
A. Cost is certainly one advantage, the minimum cost versus the normal Tariff 19 calculated cost. As well, a licensed instructor can teach anywhere, anytime regardless of facility or location in Canada. Your SOCAN licence accesses the world’s entire repertoire of copyright-protected music.
Q. What if I teach at a studio already licensed with SOCAN?
A. An individual licence would not be required if the studio is licensed under the normal terms of Tariff 19. However, having an individual licence assures you that all classes you instruct would be covered regardless of the studio’s current status with SOCAN.
Q. I own my own studio and have my individual licence through the Dance Saskatchewan agreement. Does my licence cover unlicensed instructors working at my facility?
A. No. Your individual licence only covers you and the classes you personally instruct. Your individual licence issued under the agreement does is not cover others who work in your studio.
Please note; the “spirit” of the agreement is to consider those instructors who may conduct classes in facilities other than dance studios; i.e. community halls, schools, or even their own homes. As a studio owner, you require to either;
a.) licence your studio under the normal terms of the tariff, or
b.) ensure all instructors have a current individual licence through the agreement.
Q. What if I don’t get a SOCAN licence?
A. Our business is to make sure music creators and publishers are fairly compensated for the use of their works. Without proper licensing, any performance of copyright music is considered “copyright infringement”. If necessary, SOCAN may pursue these rights through legal channels. Penalties for infringement can be severe, including payment of all fees including interest, legal fees and damages.
Q. How can I obtain a licence?
A. Dance Saskatchewan can help you if you wish to participate in the agreement. Simply contact their office for details. If you require more information about music licensing and SOCAN, please visit our website: www.socan.ca or contact our business development office at 1-866-944-6210.
WHAT IS SOCAN?
The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, (SOCAN) is a member-owned collective representing the people who create the music that is such an important part of our lives. SOCAN represents more than 80,000 Canadian songwriters, composers, lyricists and publishers. And through agreements with similar organizations around the globe, they represent hundreds of thousands of international creators and publishers. For those who use music as part of their businesses or functions, SOCAN sells access to virtually the world’s entire repertoire of copyright-protected music for “public performance” and telecommunication – based on tariffs set by Canada’s Copyright Board.