Karaoke Forums

I think I can answer this, Babs.

They are NOT government run, but are a not-for-profit, independent organization run by a board of directors elected by thousands of composers, lyricists, songwriters and music publishers across Canada.
Here's their rates as applied to a bar situation with karaoke and perhaps live music.

CABARETS, CAFES, CLUBS, COCKTAIL BARS, DINING
ROOMS, LOUNGES, RESTAURANTS, ROADHOUSES,
TAVERNS AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS
(2005 to 2010)
For a licence to perform, by means of recorded music, at any
time and as often as desired in the years 2005 to 2010, any or all
of the works in SOCAN’s repertoire, in an adult entertainment
club, the fee payable by the establishment is 4.4¢ per day, multiplied
by the capacity (seating and standing) authorized under the
establishment’s liquor licence or any other document issued by a
competent authority for this type of establishment.

KARAOKE BARS AND SIMILAR
ESTABLISHMENTS
(2005 to 2010)
For a licence to perform, at any time and as often as desired in
the years 2005 to 2010, any or all of the works in SOCAN’s repertoire,
by means of karaoke machines at karaoke bars and similar
establishments, the annual fee shall be as follows:
Establishments operating with karaoke no more than 3 days a
week: $191.24.
Establishments operating with karaoke more than 3 days a
week: $275.56.

And if they want live performances:
CABARETS, CAFES, CLUBS, COCKTAIL BARS, DINING
ROOMS, LOUNGES, RESTAURANTS, ROADHOUSES,
TAVERNS AND SIMILAR ESTABLISHMENTS
(2005 to 2010)

For a licence to perform, by means of performers in person, at
any time and as often as desired in the years 2005 to 2010, any or
all of the works in SOCAN’s repertoire, in cabarets, cafes, clubs,
cocktail bars, dining rooms, lounges, restaurants, roadhouses,
taverns and similar establishments, the fee payable by the establishment
is 3 per cent of the compensation for entertainment paid
in the year covered by the licence, subject to a minimum annual
fee of $83.65.

“Compensation for entertainment” means the total amounts
paid by the licensee to, plus any other compensation received by,
musicians, singers and all other performers, for entertainment of
which live music forms part. It does not include expenditures for
stage props, lighting equipment, set design and costumes, or expenditures
for renovation, expansion of facilities or furniture and
equipment.

So let's day we have a bar with a seating capacity of 100 for ease of calculations.
So for the cabaret is 4.4 cents per day. Let's say 365 days (not all bars are open every day but let's err on the side of caution). It would be $16.06 X 100 (seats)= $1606.00 for the year.
Add in Karaoke for 2 days per week (my situation):$191.24 + $1606.00 = $1797.24
Or for more than 3 days $275.56 + $1606.00 = $1881.56 for the year.

Now add in live music if you have an average of one night a week and pay the band $1000.00 x 52 (weeks in the year) = 52000.00 x 3% = $1560.00 is what you pay for the year of live music.

So karaoke for 3 days or less with live music would be a grand total of $3357.24 for the year.
OR
For more than 3 days of karaoke a grand total of $3441.56 for the year.

Not a whole lot of money when you get down to it.

Preach it Babs! That's my number one complaint about the current arrangement as well.