Comments on: You can always count on SOCAN

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 29 May 2009 17:42:49 +0000

Hey guys, this is some neat info. I’m a Socan member but I’m pretty sure they operate in a non-profit way, I didn’t have to pay any membership fee…My friend and I just send our info with a poster as some sort of proof theat we play music. I checked out their website and I didn’t recognize many of the artists but it said that 85 cents of every dollar is distributed back. To who? I don’t know. I got paid a few bucks for a song on CBC Radio.

I wouldn’t get too mad about it, at least there is someone trying to help and protect our art in same way.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Tue, 26 May 2009 18:34:13 +0000

” If, however, the show is $6 or less, than SOCAN gets to keep the money.”

And all this is protected by Canadian Law? I don’t think so. That is ridiculous.

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Mon, 25 May 2009 22:31:46 +0000

Sorry I can’t support you, because I believe you should have told them to %^$& off!

I agree with above and I would never promote a concert event again.
If everyone knew of these policies these concerts would just die anyways.

I am already pissed off the RIAA makes more than the artist let alone some MAFIA type organization like SOCAN can bully promoters and bands.

This is horrible because I truly believe in supporting the bands I like but now unfortunately no band will get money from me because I know ass hats like this are everywhere.
Driving through town from now on with the music blasting and windows down! Come and get me ferret faces!!!!!!!!

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Mon, 25 May 2009 20:29:51 +0000

I should sue SOCAN for making my mind go numb with the retarded logic they use to re-reimburse their members.
Basically they are thieves by the sounds of it.

By: A_F

A_F — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:53:19 +0000

well, it is simple:
Just don’t organize concerts for/with SOCAN (or any other Royalty collecting society that has this clause that THEY will keep the money if ticket prize is below x) Members anymore!

And specifically communicate to those persons and your concert going customers why you don’t do it anymore.

That will teach the “artists” for becoming a member of such a “collection agency”!

By: Reader's Write

Reader's Write — Mon, 25 May 2009 18:03:55 +0000

“I also learned that, contrary to what a lot of people have told me in the last week, just because a show costs less than $6, it doesn’t mean that it’s exempt from SOCAN. It only means that SOCAN doesn’t have to reimburse artists for those shows.
…
If a show is greater than $6, then the SOCAN-member bands are allowed to apply to be reimbursed for performance royalties (starting at $75 per show). If, however, the show is $6 or less, than SOCAN gets to keep the money.”

SoundExchange of Canada? How many “unfound artists” do they have?

By: Robert

Robert — Mon, 25 May 2009 17:28:45 +0000

I once thought of registering with SOCAN, as a musician friend of mine did. However, after learning that SOCAN will keep the money for themselves (they also charge a onetime $50 membership fee!!!) I decided against that. I’ll choose Creative Commons License.

And given that I’ve managed to write some material for my wedding, I will be discussing with my fiancee about keeping all material original because SOCAN is NOT worth the money they demand!

As much as I would love to have a few songs by Matthew Good or Corey Hart or even my friend, I can’t support G(reedy)SOCAN. It appears they are focused more on the almighty dollar (for themselves) than anything else.

I know that avoiding the lousy $40 GSOCAN fee for my wedding won’t matter much to GSOCAN, it is the principle of the matter and they are NOT going to get my money!

By: matthew

matthew — Mon, 25 May 2009 15:54:35 +0000

Thanks for the support!