Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. (CMRRA) is a music licensing
agency based in Toronto, Canada
. Founded in 1975, CMRRA is a non-profit organization
which represents music publishers and music copyright
owners. On their behalf, CMRRA issues licenses authorizing the reproduction of musical works. CMRRA's licenses are applicable to distribution in Canada only.
CMRRA presently licenses the reproduction of its clients' music in the following areas:
Online licensing and the broadcast mechanical are carried on through CMRRA's joint venture with Montreal-based SODRAC, CMRRA-SODRAC Inc. (CSI)
Representation by CMRRA is open to any person, firm or corporation which owns or administers one or more musical works with respect to Canada.
CMRRA is governed by a Board of Directors elected every two years by the members of the Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA).
CMRRA is managed by David A. Basskin (President and CEO) and a management team which includes Caroline Rioux (Executive Vice President), Fred Merritt (VP Finance and Administration), Lori Ellis (Director of Operations) and Veronica Syrtash (Director of Business Affairs).
Music licensing
Music licensing is the licensed use of copyrighted music. Music licensing is intended to ensure that the creators of musical works get paid for their work. A purchaser of recorded music owns the media on which the music is stored, not the music itself...
agency based in Toronto, Canada
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. Founded in 1975, CMRRA is a non-profit organization
Non-profit organization
Nonprofit organization is neither a legal nor technical definition but generally refers to an organization that uses surplus revenues to achieve its goals, rather than distributing them as profit or dividends...
which represents music publishers and music copyright
Copyright
Copyright is a legal concept, enacted by most governments, giving the creator of an original work exclusive rights to it, usually for a limited time...
owners. On their behalf, CMRRA issues licenses authorizing the reproduction of musical works. CMRRA's licenses are applicable to distribution in Canada only.
CMRRA presently licenses the reproduction of its clients' music in the following areas:
- Mechanical Licensing - reproduction of songs on CDs, cassettes and similar "sound carrier" products
- Online Licensing - reproduction of songs for distribution as permanent downloads (e.g., via iTunes) and by subscription-based tethered download and on-demand streaming services
- Synchronization Licensing - reproduction of songs in films television programs, commercials and other audio-visual productions
- Broadcast Mechanical - reproduction of songs by radio stationRadio stationRadio broadcasting is a one-way wireless transmission over radio waves intended to reach a wide audience. Stations can be linked in radio networks to broadcast a common radio format, either in broadcast syndication or simulcast or both...
s and satellite broadcasters - Private Copying LevyPrivate copying levyA private copying levy is a government-mandated scheme in which a special tax or levy is charged on purchases of recordable media. Such taxes are in place in various countries and the income is typically allocated to the developers of "content"...
- CMRRA collects the private copying levy on behalf of its clients through its membership in the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC).
Online licensing and the broadcast mechanical are carried on through CMRRA's joint venture with Montreal-based SODRAC, CMRRA-SODRAC Inc. (CSI)
Representation by CMRRA is open to any person, firm or corporation which owns or administers one or more musical works with respect to Canada.
CMRRA is governed by a Board of Directors elected every two years by the members of the Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA).
CMRRA is managed by David A. Basskin (President and CEO) and a management team which includes Caroline Rioux (Executive Vice President), Fred Merritt (VP Finance and Administration), Lori Ellis (Director of Operations) and Veronica Syrtash (Director of Business Affairs).