Movie theatres pay royalties for the music accompanying film screenings, but the structure of those charges has changed. In 2026 CB 8, the Copyright Board dealt separately with the 2017 to 2024 period and the 2025 to 2027 period.
For the earlier years, it approved $1.50 per seat with a $150 minimum per theatre. For 2025, 2026 and 2027, it approved rates based on general admission revenue of 0.094%, 0.096% and 0.098%, respectively, subject to a $200 minimum per theatre.
The Board considered whether evidence from cinema associations fairly represented smaller venues when setting minimums. Its reasons matter because a minimum charge can affect a small theatre differently from a percentage of ticket sales.