Good to hear that GTA musicians Stephen Page (Barenaked Ladies) and Brendan Canning (Broken Social Scene) are among the Canadian Artist speaking with politicians on the topic of copyright. I agree with their stand point that U.S. style “crackdowns” and litigation are not necessary here. Of course artists should be supported and their work, be it film, video, music etc, should be compensated if it is “consumed”. Sagging corporate profits and artist mis-management shouldn’t be masked over or recouped with the “copyright” issue.

In the U.S.there have been much publicized cases of attacks on kids and young fans under the guise of protecting artists copyrights. The biggest error is this has gone forward without recognizing the fact that digital media is here to stay and that much of the current media is priced out of reach (hence the internet “black market” now growing with broadband to include movies). It’s worth noting iTunes even fought to freeze their prices despite record company greed to charge more!

Poor content on the movie screens and on the CD rack means fewer movies worth seeing and CD’s worth buying. The success iTunes and other online e-retailers to offer media at a reasonable price and proves that the majority will pay to play (even on a song per song basis - how many traditional record/CD singles are sold these days in a record store???… iTunes boasts 1 BILLION songs sold!!!).

“We made it clear to the ministers that Canadian musicians support neither copyright laws that make it easier to sue our fans nor laws that unnecessarily protect digital locks on music,” said Stephen Page. That is really the key to the whole situation. When the middleman (Record/Production Companies) get’s in the way it’s often best to shop direct (one reason I tend to like buying product from artists or from artist run labels. My favourite e-label lately is Canada’s ZUNIOR)

Related posts:

1. Bug your MP automatically and help copyright protection
2. How Canadian Copyright law is bought out
3. Physical Goods vs The Digital Download
4. HDTV - The Beginning or the End of the Age of Television
5. Does Price Drive Some to Piracy?