What is SOCAN’s claim process?
Once we receive notification from a member that they’ve not been paid for a use of music that they’ve created, we check that the type of performance being reported is payable in the applicable territory. Different territories have different distribution rules, and not all performances may be payable. If the use appears to be payable, we then check to see if we’ve received payments from the relevant performing rights organization (PRO) from the period covering the performance date. Most international PROs pay us at least one quarter behind our own distributions, and some, especially the smaller ones, may only pay us once a year, or less. If the performance should have been paid and the time-frame it was due has passed, or if it’s not clear whether the PRO pays on that particular performance type, we then submit a claim with that PRO. We send the relevant information provided by the member, along with a copy of the work registration, and request payment. We continue to follow up on these claims until either payment is received, or we receive a satisfactory answer as to why it cannot be paid, from the PRO.
