New Canadian musician’s coalition unveils its copyright manifesto

A group of Canadian recording artists including Barenaked Ladies, Avril Lavigne and Sarah McLachlan have formed a new organization, The Canadian Music Creators Coalition. The group, which has expressed dissatisfaction with organizations such as the Canadian Recording Industry Association, approaches music distribution from a user-friendly perspective, and recently issued a policy statement, excerpts from which appear below. (For more on the issue, see the story on page 4.) This document marks the start of an effort to change that, by talking truthfully about Canadian artists’ wishes for the future of copyright law and cultural policy in Canada. Until now, a group of multinational record labels has done most of the talking about what Canadian artists need out of copyright. But let’s be clear: major labels are looking out for their shareholders, not for Canadian artists. Recording industry lobbyists, despite claiming to represent artists, seldom speak for us. Legislative proposals, particularly those that would facilitate lawsuits against our fans or increase the labels’ control over the enjoyment of music, are made not in our names, but on behalf of the shareholders of the labels’ foreign parent companies. Record companies and music publishers are not our enemies. They’re often run by people who love music and are passionate about the promotion of Canadian culture. However, representatives of the sound recording and music publishing industries are in an inherent conflict of interest. This conflict has led to fundamental problems in the way Canadian artists have been represented in the copyright reform process. Industry lobbyists claim that they represent our interests. In truth, these representatives are often beholden to the directors and corporate shareholders of a small number of multinational companies headquartered outside Canada. As part of the effort to maximize revenue, record labels typically seek to acquire, not protect, artists’ copyrights. Most of the campaigning on behalf of major record labels is not about protecting artists or promoting Canadian culture. It is about propping up business models in the recording industry that are quickly becoming obsolete and unsustainable. It about preserving power structures and further entrenching the labels’ role as industry gatekeepers. Lobbying efforts are focussed on obtaining laws that restrict artists’ ability to take control of their own music, reach their fans in more direct ways and earn a decent living from music without sacrificing their autonomy. Canadian artists are deeply concerned, not only about autonomy and financial security, but also about creating, preserving and spreading Canada’s unique cultural heritage. Laws that help to cede control over the Canadian music industry to foreign labels do not address these concerns. It is the government’s responsibility to protect Canadian artists from exploitation. This requires a firm commitment to programs that support Canadian music talent, and a fresh approach to the process and substance of copyright law reform. We, as Canadian music creators, have identified three simple principles that should guide copyright reform and cultural policy: (1) Suing our fans is destructive and hypocritical, (2) Digital locks are risky and counterproductive, and (3) Cultural policy should support actual Canadian artists.

New Canadian musician’s coalition unveils its copyright manifesto

Broadcast | April 28, 2006

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us

New Canadian musician’s coalition unveils its copyright manifesto

Broadcast | April 28, 2006

Unlock all the Canadian telecom, broadcasting and digital media news you need.

FREE TRIAL

SUBSCRIBE

Streamers challenge CRTC decision to publicly disclose financial information

CRTC to impose described video, audio requirements on streamers

Feds pour $10.9 million into Alberta radio station

Inside The Wire Report

Information

Hill Times Publishing

Get in Touch With Us