Canadian Film Weekly Year Book of the Canadian Motion Picture Industry (1961)

CAPAC is an association of composers, authors and music publishers which was organized in 1925 to collect fees for public performances of copyright music. Like all similar organizations in other countries, CAPAC can make no profits for itself, pays no dividends and charges its members no agency commission, no entrance fees or subscriptions. All fees collected are distributed among the composers, authors and publishers concerned, in proportion to the relative use of their music. No expenses are deducted from the fees beyond the bare cost of administration, which is less than fifteen percent of the gross amount collected. CAPAC is necessary not only to composers, authors and publishers, but also to those concerned with the public performance of music. In the report of the 1935 Copyright Commission this was officially recognized: — “It (CAPAC) is a central bureau ... for the convenience of the copyright owners . . . and the music users . . . such bureau is necessary to protect the performing rights of au¬ thors, composers and publishers, and is also a convenience to the users of music . . .” Most of the music in motion picture films is within the administration of CAPAC and before such music may be law¬ fully performed in theatres the CAPAC license must be ob¬ tained. The rental of a film does not give exhibitors the right to perform CAPAC copyright music in their theatres. The annual license fees CAPAC may lawfully collect, on behalf of the composers, authors and publishers it represents, are approved each year by a Government Board and are pub¬ lished in the “Canada Gazette”. COMPOSERS, AUTHORS AND PURLISHERS ASSOCIATION of Canada Limited 154