For online concerts and/or livestreamed events on social media and other online platforms, you may need to obtain a music license. Simply contact SOCAN at onlineconcert@socan.com, and they’ll make sure you have the right licenses for a successful show!
 
Due to high volume of emails, responses to your query may be delayed.
 
Learn more about online concerts and licenses.
 

MusicLicensing
What we do

Entandem simplifies licensing for Canadian businesses that use recorded and/or live music to make their business better.

Our experienced team of music and licensing professionals administer music licenses for the use of recorded and live music in public settings. These licenses are common to both RE:SOUND and SOCAN.

These licenses allow you to use music in public for your customers legally, ethically and responsibly. Songwriters, composers, record companies, music publishers and performing artists have rights under the Copyright Act to be compensated for the use of their music, which is covered by your license.

These rights holders earn royalties to make a living from their valuable work – the music that your business uses to benefit your customers and improve your bottom line.

Not only does music add great value to businesses like yours, an Entandem music license ensures music makers can keep on making great music.

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Type of
Licensing
By working with us, you can use any type of music to help build your business legally and ethically.
Moving to Entandem

Entandem is music licensing simplified.

We know you're busy. Entandem saves you time. Through Entandem, you'll receive both RE:SOUND and SOCAN licenses, with a single payment, with one organization.

By working with us, you can use any type of music to help build your business legally and ethically, while helping us to make sure that music makers receive the royalties that they have earned for their work.

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A Simplified Portal
What is Entandem?

Entandem is a joint venture between RE:SOUND and SOCAN that brings the music licensing services now managed separately by each organization into a single, jointly operated business.

When was Entandem launched?

Entandem was launched in July 2019. Create your account to get started.

Who owns/operates Entandem?

Entandem is jointly owned and operated by both RE:SOUND and SOCAN, and we will administer recorded and live music licenses common to both RE:SOUND and SOCAN.

What are RE:SOUND and SOCAN?

RE:SOUND is the Canadian not-for-profit music licensing company dedicated to obtaining fair compensation for performing artists and record companies for their performance rights for recorded music. RE:SOUND advocates for music makers and performers, educates music users, licenses businesses and distributes royalties to creators to help build a thriving and sustainable music industry in Canada. RE:SOUND was started in 1997.

SOCAN is a not-for-profit rights management organization that connects more than four-million music creators worldwide and more than a quarter-million businesses and individuals in Canada. Nearly 160,000 songwriters, composers, music publishers and visual artists are its direct members, and more than 100,000 organizations are Licensed To Play music across Canada. In 1990, SOCAN became the name of an organization that started in 1921.

RE:SOUND administers the performance rights of performing artists and record companies in the sound recording. SOCAN administers the performance rights of the composers, authors and their music publishers in the musical work/song.

Why was Entandem created?

Entandem was created to deliver greater value to music users and the rights holders represented by both RE:SOUND and SOCAN. By working together, RE:SOUND and SOCAN will reach more music users to ensure that music creators are legally, fairly and ethically compensated for their music.

How will Entandem licensing benefit my business?

It's all about simplicity. For most businesses that use music, a single music licensing organization means a simplified experience, by interacting with one organization, with less administrative work and one payment for both RE:SOUND and SOCAN music licenses, and one point of contact to answer questions and resolve issues.

How will Entandem benefit music rights-holders?

By working together, RE:SOUND and SOCAN will eliminate duplication, reaching more music users to ensure that music creators are legally, fairly and ethically compensated for their music. Entandem will benefit music rights holders – the songwriters, composers and music publishers who earn money from compositions, and the artists and record companies who make recorded music.

Will a license cost more under Entandem?

The creation of Entandem has no impact on the individual licensing amounts currently collected by RE:SOUND and SOCAN and set by the Copyright Board of Canada.

I don't currently pay a RE:SOUND and/or a SOCAN license. Do I have to get both?

Organizations that use recorded music are legally required to obtain the applicable RE:SOUND and SOCAN licenses. Organizations that use live music are required to obtain a SOCAN licence.

You might currently be licensed by only one of the organizations due, for example, to lack of awareness or simple oversight.
Entandem enables businesses that use music to complete both licenses at one time, through a single music license, so that rights-holders can be compensated for what they have fairly and legally earned through their work.

How do you determine license fees? Do I have a say?

Licenses for using music are determined by the Copyright Board of Canada's tariff-setting process. All stakeholders, including music users, can have input on future tariffs through the Copyright Board's tariff-setting process.

When will Entandem start administering my license?

The transfer of licensing services to Entandem will take place in July 2019. Further details will be communicated in advance.

If I have issues with my license/payments/service, who do I contact – RE:SOUND, SOCAN or Entandem?

In July 2019, Entandem will be the sole point of contact for any licensing-related issues for the licenses it administers. Until then, please continue to contact RE:SOUND and/or SOCAN about your music licensing needs and requirements.

What will happen to RE:SOUND and SOCAN after Entandem launches?

Both organizations will continue without change, except for the transfer of general licensing operations to Entandem. Other types of licensing such as broadcast licenses (e.g., radio, TV), background music suppliers and new media (e.g., streaming/webcasting) will continue to be administered by RE:SOUND and SOCAN.

I don't currently pay a RE:SOUND and/or a SOCAN license. Will this change?

Music users that are legally required to pay RE:SOUND and/or SOCAN licenses, might currently be licensed by only one of the organizations due, for example, to lack of awareness or simple oversight.

Entandem enables businesses that use music to complete both licenses at one time, through one music license, so that rights-holders can be compensated for what they have fairly and legally earned.

Which organization do I contact prior to the launch of Entandem?

Until administration of your license is moved to Entandem, there will be no change to your account, the organization that manages your license(s), or your point of contact.

When will I be able to report and pay for both RE:SOUND and SOCAN licenses online at one time?

The Entandem music licensing website is now live. After you create your account, you'll receive both RE:SOUND and SOCAN licenses.

Can I expect more changes of this nature?

There are no plans currently for any other changes to music licensing. Both organizations have worked hard to ensure that Entandem is the optimal music licensing solution for Canada's unique marketplace, today and long into the future. As with any smart business, we will always consider further opportunities to deliver more to RE:SOUND and SOCAN members. Entandem will always explore new ways to help maximize the value that music brings to businesses, contributing to their bottom line, and returning more earned royalties to music creators and performers.

Does this change where my license money goes?

No. All royalties collected and administered will still be delivered to the music rights-holders who have earned them through the use of their music.

Do I need a music license to broadcast a concert live online?

You sure do. A music license ensures that your event is using music legally and ethically while supporting music creators. The license fees paid to SOCAN for the streaming of live performances are used to compensate the songwriters, composers and music publishers who make up SOCAN. Please go to the Online Music Licenses page to learn more about licensing virtual / online concerts and events.

How do I obtain a music license to carry out my online concert?

We’ve made the process super simple. Please note that this license is being administered by SOCAN directly. Please email onlineconcert@socan.com and indicate “Online Concert” in the subject line. Provide a brief description of your music use, including details about the platform you’ll be using to livestream your concert, event, or festival. If you have an account with Entandem, please let us know as this will streamline the process.

Why is SOCAN administering the license and not Entandem?

Entandem is a joint venture created by RE:SOUND and SOCAN. While Entandem was designed to be a one-stop shop for all your music-in-business licensing needs, we do not administer licensing for traditional or digital media such as music use in TV/film, radio, or online. SOCAN continues to administer these licenses directly. However, we still want to make it easy for you - you can continue to obtain your in-person music event licenses through Entandem once pandemic restrictions have lifted.

What types of online events require a music license?

It would be difficult to name all the events requiring a music license. We encourage you to call us at 1-800-557-6226 or email licence@socan.com and we’ll help you figure it out.

What music licenses do I need if I am planning a hybrid event?

If you plan to host both in-person attendees and virtual attendees at your event, you’ll require music licenses administered by both Entandem and SOCAN. But don’t worry, we’ve made it easy for you. Simply connect with us at onlineconcert@socan.com and we’ll make sure you have the licensing required to pull off a successful show!

FAQ
The Entandem music licensing website is NOW LIVE!

We’re excited to show you how Entandem music licensing can make things easier for your organization. For questions or comments, send us a message and we’ll get back to you shortly.

Ready to get started? Register now.

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