SOCAN Launches 'Encore' Payments For Online Performances
Rights org SOCAN has launched a quarterly $200,000 “Encore” program to compensate member songwriters, composers and music publishers for copyrights included in virtual performances broadca
By FYI Staff
Rights org SOCAN has launched a quarterly $200,000 “Encore” program to compensate member songwriters, composers and music publishers for copyrights included in virtual performances broadcast on Facebook and its affiliated Instagram platform.
"Like so many Canadians, SOCAN member songwriters, composers, and music publishers are facing tough times, with the loss of revenue from touring and in-person concerts," said Jennifer Brown, Interim-CEO of SOCAN.
"Many of our members have stepped up for fans, staging online concerts to bring the public together and keep their careers moving ahead, so it is only fair that they get paid for their generous work with our Encore! program."
SOCAN's Board of Directors and management team approved the allocation of a portion of licensing revenue collected from Facebook for the Encore! program.
A total of approximately $200K is available each quarter for the program for the duration of the pandemic lockdown in Canada.
To receive an Encore! payment for a live music event on Facebook or Instagram:
· At least ten songs/compositions performed live, or a live performance of at least 30 minutes on Facebook or Instagram from March 15, 2020, to March 7, 2021 (inclusive).
· At least 100 people must have accessed the online event.
· A setlist of all music performed has to be sent via SOCAN's Notification of Live Music Performance form at SOCAN.com, with the "venue" identified as Facebook or Instagram.
· Claims must be made within 90 days of the Facebook/Instagram concert occurring.
Each online concert will be eligible for a total payment of $150, with shares of royalties going to all rights holders of the music performed.
Live performances on social media properties normally do not generate more than a few dollars in royalties for songwriters, composers and music publishers. Typically, royalties from music used on these platforms come from streamed and downloaded recorded music.
In addition to live music events on Facebook and Instagram, SOCAN is in the process of adding more online platforms to the program. The organization is encouraging its members to submit set lists for all online concerts. Just be sure to indicate the social media platform as the venue.
SOCAN will soon launch its regular "Get Set, Get Paid" awareness initiative, encouraging members to submit Notification of Live Music Performance setlists for past in-person concerts. Only by submitting set lists can license money paid by concert venues be matched to the correct rights holders of the music performed, enabling those who earned royalties to receive them.
SOCAN also confirmed that its regular distribution of royalties to all members will go out as planned on-time. Since March 13th, all 275 SOCAN employees across its offices in Toronto Montréal, Vancouver and Los Angeles have been teleworking with the company operating at full capacity.
