On July 31, 2018, the Society of Composers, Authors & Music Publishers of Canada (SOCAN) announced that it has merged operations with the Society for Reproduction Rights of Authors, Composers & Publishers in Canada (SODRAC).  This acquisition enables SOCAN to license, track and distribute all royalties for both music performing rights and mechanical rights in Canada.

The Copyright Act creates several distinct and separate rights that belong to anyone who creates a musical work.  Many of these rights are administered by collective societies which monitor, collect, and distribute royalties on behalf of rights-holders. SOCAN, the sole collective rights society that administers performing rights for musicians in Canada, has combined operations with SODRAC, a collective rights agency that administers mechanical rights. According to SOCAN, the integration of these rights will have many advantages, including:

  • one-stop musical works registrations;
  • more timely and accurate distributions and reduced operating costs for all rights-holder members;
  • unified licensing for businesses using music;
  • an à la carte representation of reproduction rights for all; and
  • increased efficiencies through leveraged licensing relationships.

As a result of this merger, SODRAC's services will be completely integrated into SOCAN’s operation.  SOCAN hopes the merger will help it find efficiencies and deliver better returns to its members.

SOCAN’s press release announcing the acquisition can be found here.

Summary By: Jae Morris

E-TIPS® ISSUE

18 08 08

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