(L) musiccreators.ca

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Author: pinna
Date:  
To: autoprod - muzak - no-copyright - etc.
Subject: (L) musiccreators.ca
capite il concetto o serve una breve traduzione?
ciao
pinna


www.musiccreators.ca

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.