Frequently Asked Questions
Questions:
1) What are 'Neighbouring Rights'?
2) What is Re:Sound?
3) How can I get money for work I have recorded?
4) How much does it cost to become a member and receive payments for neighbouring rights?
5)) Do I have to become a member of ACTRA to get payments for neighbouring rights?
7) Who is eligible to get money from private copying?
8) Where does the private copying money come from?
Answers:
What are Neighbouring Rights? |
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Answer: |
For many years, Canadian composers and authors have been paid from works they created through copyright. In 1997 the Copyright Act was amended to also acknowledge the contribution of performers and makers in the creation of a sound recording. This new right to remuneration was called a "Neighbouring Right", because it was based on an existing copyright. |
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What is Re:Sound? |
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Answer: |
Established in 1997, Re:Sound, is an umbrella collective that collects money from various users of sound recordings in Canada including radio stations, restaurants, and cable subscriptions. The monies RE:Sound collects is then distributed by three performer collectives (ACTRA PRS, the American Federation of Musicians and ARTISTI) and two maker collectives (AVLA (which also represents CIRPA), and SOPROQ). |
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How can I get money for work I have recorded? |
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Answer: |
If your recorded work has received airplay, ends up in the sample used for distribution and is determined to be eligible (based on the criteria detailed in the Copyright Act), money will be payable to you.
In order to ensure that your works have been catalogues, you must assign your rights to one of the performer collectives in Canada and provide them with a detailed list of your repertoire. RACS is one of the performer collectives in Canada.
If you are a member of a band or group, each individual group member must assign their rights in order to receive the remuneration owed to them.
Although it is important to inform RACS if you are already a member of another collecting society or organization, you can still assign your rights to RACS and maintain any other existing membership or affiliation. However, you can only assign your rights to one of the Canadian societies. |
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How much does it cost to become a member and receive payments for neighbouring rights? |
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Answer: |
It is free to join RACS. However, there is an administrative fee charged for all disbursements. |
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Question: |
Do I have to become a member of ACTRA to get payments for neighbouring rights? |
Answer: |
No. |
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Question: |
What is the CPCC? |
Answer:
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The Canadian Private Copying Collective is the non-profit agency charged with collecting and distributing private copying royalties. Established in 1999, CPCC is an umbrella organization that represents songwriters, recording artists, music publishers and record companies. |
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Question: |
Who is eligible to get money from private copying? |
| Answer: | If you are a recording artist or record company you must be a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident at the time of the recording. However, songwriters and music publishers are eligible regardless of nationality. |
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Question: |
Where does the private copying money come from? |
| Answer: | The CPCC collects from the manufacturers of blank recording media (i.e. audio cassettes, CD-R's, CD-RW's, etc.) |
Understanding Your Cheque (click on the red circle)