SODRAC

SODRAC (Society for Reproduction Rights of Authors, Composers and Publishers in Canada) was a Canadian collective management organization that administered mechanical and reproduction rights for musical works. It licensed the reproduction of music on physical media (CDs, vinyl, cassettes) and digital formats (downloads, ringtones, streaming), collecting fees from record labels, digital distributors, and other users and distributing them to songwriters, composers, and publishers. SOCAN acquired SODRAC in 2018, and its operations are now fully integrated into SOCAN.

How SODRAC Worked

SODRAC issued mechanical licenses to record labels, digital music services, and other entities that reproduced musical works. When a record label pressed CDs containing songs by SODRAC members, or a digital distributor offered those songs as downloads or streams, the label or distributor paid a mechanical royalty to SODRAC. SODRAC then distributed those royalties to the appropriate rights holders based on usage reports and sales data.

SODRAC also managed a joint venture with Canadian mechanical rights organization CMRRA called CSI (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency), which administered mechanical licensing for online music services in Canada. This joint arrangement allowed digital platforms to obtain a single mechanical license covering both SODRAC and CMRRA repertoires.

The acquisition by SOCAN closed in 2018 after extensive negotiations. SOCAN's existing technology platform and high auto-match rate for usage data meant more accurate distributions for reproduction rights holders. SODRAC staff transitioned to SOCAN, and SODRAC ceased to exist as a separate organization within approximately six months to a year of the acquisition closing.

In 2025, SOCAN reported CAD $11.8 million in reproduction rights distributions, reflecting the continued administration of these rights under the integrated SOCAN platform.

Real-World Example

Before the SOCAN acquisition, a Canadian songwriter who was a SODRAC member would receive mechanical royalties when their songs were reproduced. If a record label pressed 10,000 CDs containing one of the songwriter's compositions, the label paid a mechanical royalty to SODRAC based on the statutory or negotiated rate. If the same song was downloaded 50,000 times on iTunes, the digital distributor reported those reproductions and paid mechanical royalties to SODRAC (often through CSI).

After the 2018 acquisition, that same songwriter's mechanical royalties are collected and distributed by SOCAN. The songwriter no longer needs to maintain separate memberships for performing rights and reproduction rights. A single SOCAN membership covers both revenue streams, with reproduction rights distributions paid alongside performing rights distributions.

Why It Matters for Independent Artists

If you are a Canadian songwriter or publisher, you no longer need to join SODRAC separately. SOCAN's acquisition of SODRAC consolidated performing rights and reproduction rights under one organization. When you join SOCAN, your mechanical and reproduction royalties are administered through the same platform as your performance royalties.

This matters because mechanical royalties are a distinct revenue stream from performance royalties. When your songs are reproduced on physical media, downloaded, or used in certain digital services, mechanical royalties are generated. Without proper registration, these royalties go uncollected.

Register every composition with SOCAN and ensure your publishing rights are properly documented. This covers both the writer's share and the publisher's share of mechanical royalties. Submit accurate metadata including ISRC codes, ISWC numbers, and split sheets. SOCAN's integrated platform matches usage data across both performing and reproduction rights, increasing the likelihood that all your royalties are collected.

If you are a Canadian artist whose music was reproduced before 2018 and you were a SODRAC member, your historical royalty data and catalog information were transferred to SOCAN. Verify that your works and member information are correctly reflected in SOCAN's system.

Related Resources

• SOCAN - SOCAN now administers the reproduction rights formerly managed by SODRAC
• Performing Rights Organizations (PRO) - What a PRO is and how it functions
• Mechanical Royalties - How mechanical royalties are generated and collected
• Reproduction Rights - Understanding reproduction rights in music
• Collective Management Organization (CMO) - How CMOs operate globally
• SOCAN Official Website - SOCAN now handles all former SODRAC operations
• Use our Streaming Royalty Calculator to estimate your digital earnings