YouTube has inked a deal with the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency, marking a step toward increased rights management for the online video platform in the northern nation. CMRRA will license the copies of audiovisual content made by YouTube in the process of delivering that content to its audience. The rights agency said this licensing segment is “an opportunity for an entirely new revenue stream” for songwriters and publishers. It will be collecting royalties on the video service’s advertising revenue via its existing platform, as well as on subscription revenue from any programs that roll out in Canada (such as YouTube Red).

A few intriguing developments in music and licensing have emerged from our upstairs neighbors. Fellow collection society SOCAN acquired Audiam, the U.S. digital rights specialist, in July. Streaming and digital services are becoming a bigger and more powerful part of the Canadian market, although there’s still room for growth.