Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency

Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA) — Reproduction Licensing Simplified for Canadian Filmmakers

When your project needs licensed music, skip the guesswork—go straight to CMRRA, Canada’s leading non-profit reproduction rights licensing agency based in Toronto. Since 1975, CMRRA has represented a massive portion of music publishers and songwriters, helping filmmakers, production teams, and media creators get the mechanical rights they need for audiovisual works.

What CMRRA Does for Film and Media Professionals

Mechanical Licensing Made Clear
Whether you’re reproducing music on CDs, vinyl, or digital files for film, TV, or multimedia, CMRRA handles mechanical licensing for you. Choose between their Pay-As-You-Press/Import plan—for limited runs—or a full Mechanical Licensing Agreement (MLA) for ongoing production.

Transparent Rates and Terms
Standard rates are simple: 8.3¢ per song per copy (for up to five minutes), with incremental charges per additional minute. Albums or large-scale reproductions may qualify for discounted rates under MLA terms.

More Than Physical Media
CMRRA also issues mechanical licences for digital reproductions, including downloads and streams—keeping pace with current media use.

Fast, Authoritative Licensing
Need a license quickly? Start by searching CMRRA’s Song Database to identify copyright holders, then apply via their “Need a Licence?” portal tailored to film and audiovisual creators.

What CMRRA Doesn’t Cover (and What You’ll Need Separately)

Synchronization (Synch) Licensing
CMRRA does not issue synchronization licences—meaning if you're pairing music with visuals (film, commercials, etc.), you’ll need to get synch clearance directly from the publisher(s).

Why Filmmakers Should Care

Efficient Rights Handling
No more negotiating with dozens of publishers. CMRRA grants centralized access to creators with simplified licensing—streamlined for clarity and compliance.

Broad Market Reach
Representing thousands of music creators, CMRRA ensures extensive coverage of tracks you may want to use in your project.CMRRA

Trusted and Trusted-by-the-Industry
With nearly five decades of experience, CMRRA is acknowledged for reliability and timeliness in music rights administration.