Digital DJ Licensing - Licensing By Country - Licensing in Canada

Licensing in Canada

In Canada a DJ license for the reproduction of sound recordings for the purpose of public performance can be obtained from the AVLA Audio-Video Licensing Agency Inc. (AVLA). DJ licenses can also be obtained through three national DJ associations, the Canadian Professional Disc Jockey Association Inc. (CPDJA), the Canadian Disc Jockey Association (CDJA), and Canadian Alliance of Professional Entertainers (CAPE). All of these organizations have an agreement with AVLA which permits them to distribute and administer DJ licenses to their membership. Both the AVLA and the national DJ associations maintain online databases for consumer confirmation of licensed status.

The DJ license available is a combination CDR and Hard Drive license which permits DJs to copy and compress sound recordings to a hard drive (MP3) for use as a professional DJ only. The license permits DJs to prepare CD compilations of AVLA member-label released music for use solely in their DJ business, and not for distribution under any circumstances. In addition, the license permits a DJ to have a back-up hard drive prepared and available in the event of a hard drive failure. The agreement stipulates that only original source media can be copied and the media must be owned by the DJ. Music from an MSS or AVLA licensed Music Supply Service (ERG, Multi Music, Promo Only, etc.) CAN NOT be copied.

Downloading of music from iTunes and other online services is not permitted except in cases where such downloading service is licensed by the AVLA and approved under the licensing program. The license does not permit live DJ mixes to be recorded and/or Karaoke tracks to be copied. DJs playing original CDs and vinyl recordings are permitted to do so without any licensing requirements under AVLA.

This is an annual license that costs approximately $350.00 (CAD). Copied sound recordings under the license are not permitted to be used unless the annual license is renewed. Licenses are available through membership in the AVLA licensed national DJ associations at a lower cost and are included in national DJ association membership fees. Compliance with licensing requirements may be monitored through random inspections. Performing Rights in respect of sound recordings and musical works is handled by RE: Sound (on behalf of sound recording makers and performers) and SOCAN - the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada (on behalf of authors and composers). Performing rights are paid by the venue rather than the DJ.