On April 1, 2016, the Copyright Board of Canada (Board) issued a Tariff setting the royalty rates to be paid by commercial radio stations, represented by the Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB), to SODRAC and other music collective societies. Both parties appealed this Tariff to the Federal Court of Appeal on different grounds, but a settlement was reached between the parties involved before it was brought in judicial review.
The introduction of the new 2012 exceptions into the Copyright Act which the Board’s decision took into account had a significant negative impact on your royalties, while the CAB, on the other hand, deplored the administrative burden of producing detailed reports.
We are pleased to report that we have reached an agreement satisfying to all parties which is presently being finalized, allowing us finally to release the part of the royalties due that has been withheld since 2012. We will make an official announcement shortly before distribution.