GOVERNMENT'S DELAY IN INTRODUCING COPYRIGHT REFORMS CONCERNS CANADIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY

CRIA Release

A broad coalition of Canadian music industry organizations today expressed growing concern with the federal government's postponement of copyright reform legislation.

The coalition includes an association of approximately 15,000 musicians in Canada, Canadian artist managers, music publishers, music retailers, manufacturers, distributors and retailers of musical instruments, and record labels of all sizes. They are united in seeking legislative measures that will build a framework for new digital music businesses in accordance with the 1997 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) Internet treaties, to which Canada is a signatory.

Organizations representing these groups are anxious to see an end to repeated delays in the introduction and passage of long-promised WIPO-compliant legislation. The government had promised copyright reforms in its Oct. 16, 2007 Throne Speech and committed to introduce legislation in the fall.

Over the past year, Canadian music organizations have communicated the following in support of new legislation:

• Artists and other rights holders deserve choice: it should be up to them whether to give their music away or sell it, and whether or not to employ digital technologies that protect their work from piracy.
• Artists, the thousands of Canadians employed in the music industry and the organizations behind them deserve better protection of their online rights.
• Creators have the right to earn a living from sales of their work, and to be protected from theft and unauthorized use of their property over the Internet.
• The development and success of new digital music models require a modern and robust legal framework.
• Canadian consumers deserve a wider array of choices to obtain and enjoy digital music; stronger copyright rules will act as an incentive for investment in those services.
• Canada should fulfill its obligations under the 1997 World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) internet treaties.
• It's time Canada is placed on a level playing field with our major international trading partners, most of which long ago updated their copyright rules for today's digital world.
• Canadians are fundamentally fair-minded: we anticipate that they will respond positively to clear rules about what constitutes acceptable behaviour on the Internet.

Due to the importance of intellectual property as the cornerstone of the knowledge economy, there is an emerging global consensus that national governments must protect IP rights to promote innovation and secure long term prosperity. Ratifying the WIPO Internet Treaties is seen as a critical first step in this regard. Without such critical protection, Canada's competitiveness, productivity and innovative performance will continue to suffer.

The organizations supporting these principles include the American Federation of Musicians of United States and Canada (AFM Canada), Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA), Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA), Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA), Music Industries Association of Canada (MIAC), Music Managers Forum Canada (MMF), and the Retail Music Association of Canada (RMAC).

About the American Federation of Musicians of United States and Canada

The American Federation of Musicians of the United States and Canada (AFM Canada) is the largest organization in the world representing the interests of professional musicians, with approximately 15,000 members in Canada. AFM Canada is committed to raising industry standards and placing the professional musician in the foreground of the cultural landscape.

About the Canadian Independent Record Production Association

The Canadian Independent Record Production Association (CIRPA) is the trade organization representing the independent sector of the Canadian music and sound recording industry. For 30 years CIRPA has been the collective voice of independent music in English-speaking Canada.

About the Canadian Music Publishers Association

Since 1949 the Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA) has ensured the views of music publishers working in Canada and its members are heard. It is our mission to promote the interests of music publishers and their songwriting partners through advocacy, communication, and education.

About the Canadian Recording Industry Association

The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) promotes the interests of Canadian record companies.

About the Music Industries Association of Canada

The Music Industries Association of Canada (MIAC) is a national, non-profit, trade association representing Canadian manufacturers, distributors and retailers of musical instruments and accessories, keyboards, sound reinforcement products and published music.

About Music Managers Forum Canada

The Music Managers Forum (MMF) is an international not-for-profit association that was founded in 1992 in the U.K. Its formation was intended to give managers an opportunity to discuss, educate each other and create a much-needed voice within the industry. Inspired by the UK example, the MMF Canada was launched as an ad-hoc organization in 1994, and was federally incorporated as a not-for-profit association in 2000.

About the Retail Music Association of Canada

The Retail Music Association of Canada (RMAC) is a non-profit trade association founded in 1985. Its member companies represent the retailers, wholesalers and distributors of pre-recorded music in Canada.

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