Do I need to pay Entandem licensing in 2025?

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What is Entandem Licensing?

Recently, you might have received an invoice from an organization called ‘Entandem’ demanding payment for music licensing for the music you play in your business. This applies exclusively to businesses operating in Canada.
 
cafe staff members behind the counterThis might cause some confusion as you may have already paid your SOCAN and RE:Sound fees in the past, or perhaps you use a music service that claims to cover those fees through your monthly subscription. Naturally, you might think, “Is this yet another fee?” Fortunately, the answer is no. Entandem is a joint venture between RE:Sound and SOCAN, created to simplify the music licensing process. This means you can play music legally in your business by making just one payment instead of dealing with two separate invoices (one for RE:sound and one for SOCAN).
 
As of 2025, Entandem continues to manage the collection of these music licensing fees, ensuring businesses comply with copyright regulations while supporting the artists and creators behind the music. It’s worth noting that the amount you pay depends on how you use music in your business — whether it’s background music, live performances, or other uses.
 
If you’re using a licensed background music service, you might not need to worry about paying Entandem directly. Many leading providers still include these licenses in their service fees, streamlining the process for you. To be sure, check with your music service provider to confirm if Entandem licensing fees are already covered. This simple step could save you time and eliminate any unnecessary payments.

How do you know if you have to pay Entandem ?

If you’re using a licensed background music service, you might not need to worry about paying Entandem directly. Many leading providers include these licenses in their service fees, streamlining the process for you. To be sure, check with your music service provider to confirm if Entandem licensing fees are already covered. This simple step could save you time and eliminate any unnecessary payments.

Staying informed about music licensing obligations is essential to operating a compliant and music-friendly business. If you have questions or need further clarification, reach out to Entandem directly or consult your music service provider for guidance.

Why should I care about paying Entandem licensing?

The annual license that covers the rights to play background music legally is a crucial step for any business. Operating without this license means violating copyright laws, which could result in substantial fines for your company if you are found non-compliant.

Does this mean all your legal obligations are fulfilled by paying Entandem? Not necessarily. The specific requirements depend on the source of the music you use. Whether you rely on CDs, videos, tapes, or streaming platforms like Apple Music or Spotify, additional payments to copyright and publishing rights owners may still be required. For a detailed breakdown, we recommend reviewing our earlier post on this topic to fully understand your responsibilities.

Staying informed about music licensing obligations is essential to operating a compliant and music-friendly business. If you have questions or need further clarification, reach out to Entandem directly or consult your music service provider for guidance.

How much does an Entandem license cost?

Licenses for using music are determined by the Copyright Board of Canada’s tariff-setting process.
 
The tariffs differ depending on how you use music in your business.
 
Music used to a convey a mood is less expensive than the ones that require music for a dance floor, gyms and live performances. Tariffs will depend on your square footage area and how often you use the music and how many people are in your place of business. Your invoice should clearly outline what kind of tariff is being charged and why.

Can I save money on my Entandem and background music fees?

Yes, you can save money on your entandem (Socan and ReSound) background music fees by using a music service. At Couture Media that is what we do. We work with these organizations so you don’t have to, and depending on the square footage of your business you can save a lot in the process. Get fully licensed now!
 

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