Get a licence

All licenses to obtain for Music Users in Canada

In Canada, the use of music for professional or commercial purposes requires specific licenses.

This table summarizes the main types of music usage in Canada and the organizations responsible for issuing these licenses.

Sound Recordings
(Master rights)

Uses
  • Radio Broadcasting
  • Television Music Services
  • Background music (service providers and establishments)
  • Events
  • Exhibitions
  • Non & semi-interactive webcasting
  • DJs
Rights to release and contact

Reproduction
One-stop shop: 
Connect Music Licensing + Panorama

Public performance
Re:Sound

Music Videos

Uses
  • Television broadcasting
  • Public broadcast (service providers and establishments)
  • Events
  • Exhibitions
  • Non & semi-interactive webcasting
  • Video pool
Rights to release and contact

Reproduction or Public performance
One-stop shop:
Connect Music Licensing + Panorama

Musical works incorporated in a sound recording

Uses
  • Radio Broadcasting
  • Television Music Services
  • Background music (service providers and establishments)
  • Events
  • Exhibitions
  • Webcasting
  • Concerts
Rights to release and contact

Reproduction
CMRRA ou/or SOCAN

Public performance
SOCAN

Requests relating to the synchronization

All requests relating to the synchronization (television, film, video games, etc.) of a sound recording must be addressed directly to the rights holder or to the record company (label) for the master rights and to the publisher for the musical work.

For establishments and businesses that play music (hotels, restaurants, hair salons, shops, gyms, nightclubs, concert halls, etc.), it is possible to release the right of public performance on both the sound recording and the musical work through the Entandem joint venture, operated by Re:Sound and SOCAN.