OTTAWA, Dec. 16 /CNW/ - Today's announcement by the Liberal Party of
Canada outlining their proposed amendments to Bill C-32, the Copyright Modernization Act, fails to recognize the significant role local radio plays in supporting
Canadian music artists and local communities across Canada.
Private radio broadcasters applaud the efforts of the Government in
tabling copyright legislation that aims to make Canada's copyright laws
work for all stakeholders, including creators and innovative businesses
like the radio industry.
Radio is the largest single payer of copyright in Canada. This past
year radio contributed $115M in direct funding and copyright payments.
This direct funding is five times greater than the level it was just
nine years ago (see chart: http://files.newswire.ca/919/CAB_Chart_(EN).pdf), and broadcasters are continuing to provide ongoing significant
support to artists. In Bill C-32, the government has closed the
loophole that forced radio broadcasters to make additional payments for
purely technical digital file reproductions necessary to build on-air
Closing this loophole will ensure that Canadian home grown radio
artisans and the local musicians that they support are not sacrificed
in favour of multi-billion dollar foreign companies, who are currently
the beneficiaries of over 80% of the reproduction tariff paid by
Canadian radio broadcasters.
"For over eighty years, Canadian private broadcasters have been the
single most important marketing vehicle for Canadian artists," said
Sylvie Courtemanche, Chair of the CAB. "The Liberals don't understand
this issue and their proposed amendment to oppose the broadcaster
exception will only provide small compensation to Canadian artists with
most flowing out of the country. We have been waiting for reforms to
Canada's copyright law for far too long. We urge the Liberals to
recognize the balance provided to all sectors within the present Bill
Broadcasters will continue in their efforts to ensure that
Parliamentarians understand that radio stations need an updated fair
copyright law. For more information, please consult www.cab-acr.ca.
SOURCE Canadian Association of Broadcasters
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