[d@DCC] MusicCreators.ca - Canadian Music Creators Coalition.

From: Ross Jordan <rjordan _-at-_ numb.ca>
To: discuss (at) list.digital-copyright.ca
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 16:12:56 -0700

The recent break up of CRIA, has resulted in a new group of Canadian
music creators being formed.

Their website is: www.musiccreators.ca

It is amazingly refreshing; I am super happy to see such reasonable
and level headed principals:

"
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. 
"

Wow.

-Ross
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