Currently within Canada there are two non-governmental organizations which have been established to administer and license the rights associated with utilizing music: SOCAN (The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers) and Re:Sound (formerly known as the Neighbouring Rights Collective of Canada). Both agencies in Canada are regulated by the Copyright Board of Canada, an economic regulatory body empowered to establish the royalties to be paid for the use of copyrighted works.
SOCAN and Re:Sound are of interest to FIC insofar as they develop the framework for new and existing Tariff(s) – fees to be paid by Canadian fitness clubs for the use of copyrighted music. The Copyright Board of Canada itself ultimately decides if a proposed or current tariff is appropriate and binding.
Current Tariffs:
SOCAN currently has an approved tariff in place, which requires all fitness clubs in Canada to pay royalties under Tariff 19.
Proposed Tariffs:
On March 30, 2007, Re:Sound filed a proposed Tariff with the Copyright Board of Canada. Tariff No: 6, which if implemented would establish new fees for the use of music to accompany dance and fitness in addition to SOCAN’s existing tariff 19 fees. Tariff No: 6 proposes to charge all Canadian fitness clubs $18.59 per member per year for the use of copyrighted music, retroactive to January 1st 2008.
FIC recently completed hearings on May 21st 2010, to oppose the proposed rate structure by Re:Sound.
For more detailed information please: Contact FIC.
