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The early years |
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Creating SOCAN |
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SOCAN today |
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SOCAN was formed in 1990, but its predecessors have been around in some form or another in Canada since 1925. SOCAN was created as a result of the merger of two former Canadian performing rights societies: The Composers, Authors and Publishers Association of Canada (CAPAC) and the Performing Rights Organization of Canada (PROCAN). In 1925, the Performing Rights Society (PRS) of the United Kingdom formed the Canadian Performing Rights Society (CPRS). Led by Henry Jamieson, and assisted by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), the CPRS was looking to establish itself in Canada. It soon found a test case in the Famous Players Theatre chain, but the decision against CPRS was so damaging that the performing rights organization (PRO) would have broken up had ASCAP not been brought in to help reform it. Under Henry Jamieson, the CPRS flourished and expanded during the depression. Parliament established a Copyright Appeal Board, which determined the fees chargeable by a PRO. In 1945, CPRS changed its name to the CAPAC and became independent of both ASCAP and the PRS. The Canadianization continued when the newly formed CAPAC engaged in efforts to create a system of electronic distribution and later, to create a library of music scores by Canadian composers. Over the years, CAPAC worked valiantly to protect the rights of its members, especially in the face of opposition from the well-established radio and television industries. In 1962, a five-year truce was agreed upon, creating an opportunity for many negotiated agreements, as well as a smoother relationship with the broadcast industries. PROCAN, originally called BMI Canada Ltd., was formed by Broadcast Music Inc. of the U.S. to license its repertoire in Canada. In 1947, BMI began actively working for Canadian composers, lyricists, songwriters and music publishers. In 1976, BMI Canada became a not-for-profit PRO and in 1977, changed its name to PROCAN to reflect the changed nature of the organization. |
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