I'm Canadian with SOCAN. Do I also need ASCAP or BMI?

No. SOCAN’s reciprocal deals with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC already collect your US performance royalties and send them home to you.

SOCAN’s international royalties page says it has reciprocal agreements with more than 100 societies, and that they “cover you worldwide.” It also says SOCAN takes no admin fee on international money coming in.

For the US specifically, SOCAN told the Justice Department that the American societies administer its members’ works in the US. A US radio station or venue licenses your song through them, and the money flows back to SOCAN.

You can’t simply add a US PRO on top, either. ASCAP’s membership FAQ says you “can only belong to one society at a time as a writer for licensing public performances in the United States.” Through SOCAN, that spot is already taken.

Some Canadians who move south do switch to ASCAP or BMI. That means a transfer, or carving the US out of your SOCAN membership. SOCAN doesn’t publish its rules for a carve-out, so call SOCAN before you apply anywhere.

Clean registrations help more. Put every song in SOCAN with the right writers and splits.

Our ASCAP vs BMI comparison covers the US side if you ever move. PROs only handle performance royalties. Mechanicals are a separate claim, covered in do I need The MLC with publishing admin.