If you qualify for membership according to our criteria, it’s easy to become a member.

According to our distribution rules, we pay royalties for:

public performances at specified venues licensed by SOCAN

radio performances broadcast and surveyed by broadcasters licensed by SOCAN

television performances broadcast or transmitted by broadcasters licensed by SOCAN

cinema performances

performances outside of Canada

We can only pay royalties to SOCAN members for registered works. You can register works online.

We distribute royalties of $5 or more to our members four times a year:

Feb. 15 for April, May and June performances of the previous year

May 15 for July, August and September performances of the previous year

Aug. 15 for October, November and December performances of the previous year

Nov. 15 for January, February and March performances of the same year

Earnings of less than $5 accumulate until they hit the $5 mark and are then distributed in the next payment quarter. Members earning less than $500 per distribution quarter will only be paid through direct deposit into their accounts. Members who earn more than $500 in a particular quarter will continue to have the option of receiving their earnings either by direct deposit or cheque.

Your membership agreement will be automatically renewed every two years unless you notify us in writing that you wish to terminate. We cover you worldwide via reciprocal agreements with international performing rights organizations who forward any royalties earned to SOCAN so we can pass them on to you.