SOCAN & SoundExchange Confirm Agreement for SOCAN to Acquire CMRRA

SOCAN and SoundExchange today announced that they have entered into a purchase agreement under which SOCAN will acquire from SoundExchange the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

The transaction represents a shared commitment to strengthen the music rights ecosystem and ensure songwriters, composers, music publishers, artists, and rights owners continue to benefit from efficient, modern, and innovative rights administration services.

The proposed acquisition brings together SOCAN’s century-long leadership in performing rights administration and advocacy – alongside nearly a decade of reproduction rights expertise – with CMRRA’s more than 50 years of specialized expertise in reproduction rights.

Jennifer Brown, CEO of SOCAN, comments:

“Acquiring CMRRA is about strengthening Canada’s music rights landscape and building a more seamless experience for music publishers and creators. By bringing together CMRRA and SOCAN, we have an opportunity to harness our respective strengths and support long-term growth. SoundExchange has been a strong and reliable home for CMRRA, ensuring continuity and care through a period of significant change in our industry. That foundation in reproduction rights and expertise will play a central role in advancing a more connected and effective music rights management system in Canada.”

Michael Huppe, President and CEO of SoundExchange, adds:

“When SoundExchange acquired CMRRA nearly a decade ago, we saw an opportunity to strengthen its foundation, invest in its future, and enhance the services it provides to music publishers and songwriters. Together, SoundExchange and CMRRA have built a strong, innovative, and thriving organization. We are proud of the progress achieved and believe SOCAN is the right organization to build on that success. This transaction benefits creators, publishers, and the broader music community while allowing SoundExchange to continue advancing our core mission of delivering value to artists and rights owners around the world.”

Paul Shaver, President of CMRRA, states:

“CMRRA has benefited greatly from SoundExchange’s investment, partnership, and commitment to our mission, and we are proud of the progress we have made together. As we look ahead, this next chapter with SOCAN represents an exciting opportunity to build on that foundation, drive innovation, deepen our service to music publishers and self-published songwriters, and contribute to a more integrated and effective rights administration ecosystem in Canada.”

Details of the transaction are confidential.