Q: Should I give my producer songwriter credits?
A: Music copyright belongs to the creator of the song. Typically, the producer is paid for his/her work and does not share royalties which accrue as a result of exploitation of the song.

Q: Can I claim performance royalties if I am arranging, orchestrating, transcribing or adapting a public domain work?
A: Yes. You can claim shares if the work is in the public domain. SOCAN'S distributing rules provide for credits that may vary depending upon the nature of the arrangement.

Q: How does SOCAN calculate what I get paid?
A: The amount of the royalty distribution depends on the use of the music and a number of other variables. We have comprehensive distribution rules and you may request a copy or contact us if you want more information.

Q: How often are royalty payments made?
A: SOCAN makes royalty payments of $5 or more to its members on a quarterly basis, beginning February 15 of each calendar year. Royalties of less than $5 accumulate until they hit the $5 mark and are then forwarded in the next payment quarter.

Q: How are royalties divided among co-writers, band members, producers and others?
A: Tell us how you want the royalties allocated and we’ll make sure the royalties are sent in the percentages you have agreed and advised SOCAN.

Q: Does SOCAN distribute only performance royalties?
A: SOCAN distributes royalties collected by the Canadian Private Copying Collective to compensate copyright holders for the recording of musical works for private use. Members must first assign this right to SOCAN in writing so that SOCAN can distribute these royalties.

Q: Does SOCAN issue advance royalty payments to members?
A: Yes. SOCAN does offer advances to qualifying members upon request. Advances are based on a consideration of past earnings of a member’s catalogue. The amount issued is expected to be recouped by the member over the following two distribution quarters. Interest will accrue if the advance is not recouped within one year.

Q: Should I keep track of the performances of my songs?
A: While SOCAN works on your behalf to acquire all the necessary data to make royalty payments for performances of your music, we don't always receive complete information. You can assist us by notifying SOCAN of any CBC radio or television, commercial radio or television performance, concert or international performance of your music.

Q: How does SOCAN calculate payments for each radio and television performance?
A: In order to calculate the payment for each performance, SOCAN divides the monies available for distribution by the number of performances logged. Payment per performance does vary from distribution to distribution for radio and television performances. A number of variables determine payment for all types of performances each quarter: the amount of licence fees collected; the number of titles identified and paid. Television royalties also vary according to the television station using your music, the time of day of the performance and the type of music use (feature or background).

Q: Who decides how much a music user pays to SOCAN?
A: SOCAN licence fees are subject to approval by the Copyright Board, an independent government-appointed body. SOCAN proposes tariffs annually to the Board, and the results are then published in the Canada Gazette. Music users (licensees) have 60 days after the publication of the proposed tariffs to file objections with the Board. In the case of a dispute, a hearing may take place after which, the Board makes the final decision as to how much licensees will pay.

Q: How do I know where my song was played?
A: Your distribution statement includes information about the source of radio and television performances. For additional details, contact us.

Q: Do I get paid every time a song is performed on the radio?
A: Beginning with our August 2007 distribution, SOCAN started using digital audio identification (DAI) technology through an agreement with a leading supplier of radio performance data to electronically monitor over 150 commercial radio stations on a census basis. As well, the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) continues to provide airplay logs of national and regional programming on a census basis. This enables SOCAN to log all detected performances from the said radio stations for distribution. Since it is not cost-effective to log every musical performance on every radio station in Canada on a census basis, SOCAN will continue to sample the rest of the commercial radio stations on a quarterly basis to identify the use of our members’ works. Additionally, non-commercial (campus and community) radio stations and CBC local programming will be sampled.

Q: How do I get paid for a television performance of my music?
A: SOCAN relies on programming information provided by Canadian television stations and on television cue sheets, which list the musical contents of each program or film in order to track the music performed and distribute the royalties for the television performances of your music. You can help by keeping us informed of any television performances of your music and by ensuring, if possible, that cue sheets are submitted to SOCAN for those programs or films. Please note that all cue sheets must be signed by the producer of the program or film.

Q: Does SOCAN distribute royalties for commercials and public service announcements?
A: SOCAN does not collect royalties for music used in commercials or public service announcements of 60 seconds or less. Any performance over 60 seconds may be processed for payment, providing we receive the appropriate programming information.

Q: Does SOCAN pay royalties for cinema performances?
A: Yes. SOCAN collects and distributes royalties for these performances based on a survey of films playing in cinemas across Canada. For additional details, contact us at socan@socan.ca.

Q: Which live performances are eligible for distributions?
A: SOCAN must receive a Notification of Live Music Performance Form which provides details about the performance for us to determine whether or not the performance qualifies for a royalty distribution. If the venue or promoter is licensed by SOCAN, the performance qualifies as a concert under SOCAN’s distribution rules and we collect licence fees and distribute royalties to our members.

Q: Do I receive royalties for club performances of my music?
A: A $6 per person minimum cover must be charged for any club performance in order for it to be eligible for payment by SOCAN.

Q: Do I get paid for club and concert performances in the U.S.?
A: There are currently no performance royalty payments made for club performances in the U.S. However, ASCAP and BMI do pay royalties for the top grossing concerts taking place in the U.S. However,the licence fees collected by the U.S. based societies for such premises are distributed as part of their general distribution.

Q: How do I get paid for performances outside of Canada?
A: SOCAN relies on our members to provide information about international record releases and performances so that we can keep international societies updated about our members’ repertoire and performances. Affiliated performing rights societies can then administer your repertoire in their territory and make performance royalty distributions on your behalf. SOCAN staff reviews music publications regularly to track our members’ activities abroad. We also review reports from the ETS (Electronic Tracking Service), which monitors the international performance of television series and films containing the musical works of SOCAN members.

Q: How often are international royalties paid?
A: International royalty payments are made quarterly along with SOCAN’s distribution of Canadian royalties. However, distribution schedules vary from society to society, with some remitting to SOCAN annually, some more or less frequently.

Q: Does SOCAN charge a processing fee on incoming international royalties?
A: No processing fees are charged on incoming monies received from international societies.