Private Copying Tariff

Because technologies come and go and the value of private copying can change over time, the Copyright Act does not specify the types of media that the private copying levy applies to or the rates for each type of media. The Copyright Board of Canada is responsible for issuing private copying tariffs that set the types of media that the private copying levy applies to, the rate for each type of media, and related administrative details, for a given period of time.

The Copyright Board of Canada

The Copyright Board of Canada is an economic regulatory body that specializes in copyright matters. The obligations and procedures of the Board are specified in Part VII of the Copyright Act.

How a Private Copying Tariff is set:

The process by which private copying tariffs are set is described in Part VIII, Section 83 of the Copyright Act.

In general:

1. The CPCC initiates the process on behalf of copyright holders by filing a proposed tariff with the Copyright Board of Canada.
2. The Board publishes the proposed tariff in the Canada Gazette.
3. Objectors to the proposed tariff must file their objections within 60 days of publication.
4. A date is set by the Board for a formal public hearing.
5. Objectors and the CPCC present evidence and arguments before the Board.
6. The Board issues a private copying tariff, together with the reasons for the Board’s decision.

The proposed tariff for 2012 – 2013 was published in the Canada Gazette on May 14, 2011.  Click here to view the Proposed Private Copying Tariff 2012 – 2013.

Please note that the CPCC has asked the Copyright Board to modify the proposed 2012-2013 Tariff.  The CPCC is seeking a levy on microSD electronic memory cards at the rates set out in the proposed Tariff and has withdrawn its request for a levy on all other formats of electronic memory cards. 
For important information about the 2012-2013 Tariff, please click the following link “Letter to Reporting Companies – 2012-2013 Tariff “. 

The interim tariff for 2012 – 2013 was issued by the Copyright Board on December 19, 2011.  Click here to view the Interim Private Copying Tariff for 2012-2013.

The proposed tariff for 2014 was published in the Canada Gazette on February 11, 2012.  Click here to view the Proposed Private Copying Tariff 2014.

Private Copying Tariffs

For the Copyright Board of Canada’s Reasons, Backgrounders and Fact Sheets please visit the Copyright Board’s web site at:  http://www.cb-cda.gc.ca/decisions/copying-copie-e.html

*  The Private Copying Tariff 2008-2009 was released on December 5th 2008. While the Tariff certified the new levies effective January 1st 2008, the CPCC waived retroactive collection of the levies.