CAB FILES OBJECTION ON SOCAN RADIO AND ONLINE TARIFFS Broadcaster On Wednesday (August 22), the CAB filed its objections with the Copyright Board with regard to the SOCAN proposals for 2008 for Commercial Radio Tariff 1.A, and Internet Tariff 22.
In its objection to Tariff 1.A, the CAB stated its strong opposition to the significant and unacceptable increase to the proposed tariff rates, noting that it would represent an increase of 36% from the interim rate stations currently pay to SOCAN. SOCAN is seeking a maximum rate of 6% of station ad revenues.
The CAB also reiterated the need for a consolidated proceeding to consider the SOCAN tariff proposal together with the radio tariff proposals filed by CSI, NRCC, and AVLA-SOPROQ for the years 2008 forward.
With regard to Tariff 22, the CAB stated that to the extent that the tariff may apply to the websites of some CAB members (the tariff proposal covers various streaming and downloading activities), both the proposed terms and rates were excessive and unreasonable. SOCAN is seeking different rates for different activities, and proposes for example a rate of 15% of the greater of website revenues or expenses for streaming of radio or television signals, with a minimum monthly payment of $200.
The Copyright Board has not yet released its decisions on SOCAN’s Tariff 22 proposal for 1996-2006, or on the SOCAN-NRCC Tariff 1.A Radio rehearing for 2003-2007.
The CAB represented its members in hearings for these tariffs held in April/May and in June of this year, respectively. |