[wos] canadian music creators coalition

[Felix Stalder]

http://www.musiccreators.ca/

We are a growing coalition of Canadian music creators who share the common 
goal of having our voices heard about the laws and policies that affect our 
livelihoods. We are the people who actually create Canadian music. Without 
us, there would be no music for copyright laws to protect.

Until now, a group of multinational record labels has done most of the talking 
about what Canadian artists need out of copyright. Record companies and music 
publishers are not our enemies, but let’s be clear: lobbyists for major 
labels are looking out for their shareholders, and seldom speak for Canadian 
artists. Legislative proposals 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 labels’ foreign parent companies.

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 copyright law reform. Canadian 
music creators have identified three principles that should guide the 
copyright reform process.


1. Suing Our Fans is Destructive and Hypocritical

Artists do not want to sue music fans. The labels have been suing our fans 
against our will, and laws enabling these suits cannot be justified in our 
names. We oppose any copyright reforms that would make it easier for record 
companies to do this. The government should repeal provisions of the 
Copyright Act that allow labels to unfairly punish fans who share music for 
non-commercial purposes with statutory damages of $500 to $20,000 per song.


2. Digital Locks are Risky and Counterproductive

Artists do not support using digital locks to increase the labels’ control 
over the distribution, use and enjoyment of music or laws that prohibit 
circumvention of such technological measures. The government should not 
blindly implement decade-old treaties designed to give control to major 
labels and take choices away from artists and consumers. Laws should protect 
artists and consumers, not restrictive technologies. Consumers should be able 
to transfer the music they buy to other formats under a right of fair use, 
without having to pay twice.


3. Cultural Policy Should Support Actual Canadian Artists

The vast majority of new Canadian music is not promoted by major labels, which 
focus mostly on foreign artists. The government should use other policy tools 
to support actual Canadian artists and a thriving musical and cultural scene. 
The government should make a long-term commitment to grow support mechanisms 
like the Canada Music Fund and FACTOR, invest in music training and 
education, create limited tax shelters for copyright royalties, protect 
artists from inequalities in bargaining power and make collecting societies 
more transparent