What's New

Practice Notice on Filing an Application to Withdraw a Proposed Tariff

The Board has issued a new Practice Notice on Filing of Grounds for Proposed Tariffs [PN 2022-008]. The Practice Notice sets out what information is required from a Collective Society when filing an application to withdraw a proposed tariff, pursuant to Section 69.1 of the Copyright Act.

Practice Notices on Filing of Grounds for Proposed Tariffs and on Filing of Grounds for Objections

The Board has issued new Practice Notices on Filing of Grounds for Proposed Tariffs and on Filing of Grounds for Objection.

The Practice Notice on Filing of Grounds for Proposed Tariffs [PN 2022-006] sets out what information is required from a Collective Society when filing a proposed tariff, including a description of the activities covered by the proposed tariff.

The Practice Notice on Filing of Grounds for Objection [PN 2022-007] sets out what information is required from an Objector when filing an objection, including any grounds for why the Board should not approve the proposed tariff.

This information will help users assess whether a proposed tariff applies to them and, accordingly, whether they should object, while giving the Collective the information needed to understand the basis for such objection.

This information will also help the Board assess the scope and basis for a proposed tariff early on, and determine the most efficient and expeditious way forward. Please see Notice CB-CDA 2022-047 for additional details in regard to both Practice Notices.

These new Practice Notices are aligned with the Board’s vision and strategic objectives of ensuring the effectiveness, efficiency, and transparency of its operations and proceedings.

Proposed Copyright Board Rules of Practice and Procedure

The proposed Copyright Board Rules of Practice and Procedure have been published in the Canada Gazette for consultation.

The proposed text and the Regulatory Impact Assessment Statement can be found in here. An overview of the Rules, developed by the Board, can be found here.

These rules reflect the Board’s commitment toward effective and expeditious tariff-setting procedures, transparency, and access to justice, and are a key part of the Board’s Modernization Initiative. They were developed with a view to increase the predictability of Board tariff-setting proceedings, and provide clear guidance to Parties on how to engage with the Board.

Collective management societies, rights holders, representatives of creators and of users of copyright, as well as the general public were invited to submit comments on the proposed text by July 18, 2022. The consultation period has ended. The final version of the Rules, which may include changes based on the feedback received during the consultation period, will be published in the Canada Gazette in the coming months. The Board will continue to provide update on this process on its Twitter account.

We thank all who have contributed and are contributing to the development of these Rules of Practice and Procedure, and in doing so support the Board’s role in the Canadian copyright market. 

The Board Publishes its Decisions on CanLii

The Copyright Board’s reasons for decision since its creation in 1990 are now available on CanLII. This news adds to the many efforts the Board has undertaken since 2018 to modernize its practices and better inform parties, the legal and academic communities and the public about its activities and tariff-setting processes.

Proposed Tariffs for the Years 2023 and Beyond

The Copyright Board has published the following proposed tariffs filed by various collective societies for the years 2023 and following as well as their comparative documents as per Practice Notice [PN 2019-004 rev.1]. These documents were published as filed by the collective societies. 

November 3, 2021

SOCAN (2023-2025)
SOCAN Tariff 1.C – Radio - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
SOCAN Tariff 2.D – Television - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
SOCAN Tariff 3.B – Cabarets, Cafes, Clubs, Cocktail Bars, Dining Rooms, Lounges, Restaurants, Roadhouses, Taverns, and Similar Establishments - Recorded Music Accompanying Live Entertainment
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
SOCAN Tariff 8 – Receptions, Conventions, Assemblies and Fashion Shows 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
SOCAN Tariff 18 – Recorded Music for Dancing
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
SOCAN Tariff 19 – Physical Exercises and Dance Instruction 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
SOCAN Tariff 20 –  Karaoke Bars and Similar Establishments 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
SOCAN Tariff 26 - Pay Audio and Ancillary Services
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document

Re:Sound 
Re:Sound Tariff 2 – Pay Audio Services (2023-2027)
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
Re:Sound Tariff 3.A – Background Music Suppliers (2023-2026)
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
Re:Sound Tariff 3.B – Background Music (2023-2026)
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
Re:Sound Tariff 6.B – Use of Recorded Music to Accompany Fitness Activities (2023-2027) 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document

CBRA (2023-2025)
CBRA Commercial Media Monitoring Tariff and Non-Commercial Media Monitoring Tariff 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document

Access Copyright (2023-2025)
Access Copyright – Elementary and Secondary School Tariff 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document

Artisti (2023-2025)
Artisti Phonograms Tariff 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document
Artisti Online Music Services Tariff 
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document

January 10, 2022

For the following proposed tariffs filed by SOCAN for the years 2023-2025, the Board also published the Notices of Grounds for Proposed Tariff filed by SOCAN pursuant to Order CB-CDA 2021-053.

SOCAN (2023-2025)
SOCAN Tariff 2.B – Television - Ontario Educational Communications Authority
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 2.C – Television - Société de télédiffusion du Québec
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 3.C – Adult Entertainment Clubs
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 7 – Skating Rinks
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 10.A – Parks, Parades, Streets and Other Public Areas - Strolling Musicians and Buskers; Recorded Music
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 10.B – Parks, Parades, Streets and Other Public Areas - Marching Bands; Floats with Music
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 11.A – Circuses, Ice Shows, Fireworks Displays, Sound and Light Shows, Dance Shows and Similar Events
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 11.B – Comedy Shows and Magic Shows
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 12.A – Theme Parks, Ontario Place Corporation and Similar Operations
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 12.B – Canada’s Wonderland and Similar Operations
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 13.A – Public Conveyances - Aircraft
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 13.B – Public Conveyances - Passenger Ships
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 13.C – Public Conveyances - Railroad Trains, Buses and Other Public Conveyances, Excluding Aircraft and Passenger Ships
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff
SOCAN Tariff 21 – Recreational Facilities Operated by a Municipality, School, College, University, Agricultural Society or Similar Community Organizations
Proposed Tariff │Comparative Document │Notice of Grounds for Proposed Tariff  

2020-2021 Annual Report

The Copyright Board has published its 2020-2021 Annual Report, which provides an overview of last year’s activities. Read it here.