Dentists Drilled for Royalties

In Canada, music played throughout a dentist's office may be considered a public performance for royalty collection purposes. Wired News reports: Canada Music Biz Bites Dentists

But dentists like Dean -- who play their iPods, CDs or the radio and broadcast it through the office for patient enjoyment -- are now required to pay licensing fees on the copyright music they play. The Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada, or SOCAN, recently started enforcing the rule. Dean, who is also president of the Canadian Dental Association, first heard about the fee in September, as members of the professional group were notified by SOCAN.