Canadian artists form anti-DRM coalition, call for copyright reform

A NEW
VOICE

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.