Don’t treat our fans as thieves, let them share music!
The revolution starts in Canada. Canadian musicians are rising up against p2p lawsuits, statutory damages, DRM and the prohibition of copying and sharing Music. They’ve started a new group called the Canadian Music Creators Coalition. “Fans who share music are not thieves or pirates,” they state unequivocally. “Sharing music has been happening for decades.” A [...]
The revolution starts in Canada. Canadian musicians are rising up against p2p lawsuits, statutory damages, DRM and the prohibition of copying and sharing Music. They’ve started a new group called the Canadian Music Creators Coalition.
“Fans who share music are not thieves or pirates,” they state unequivocally. “Sharing music has been happening for decades.”
A lot of artist joined together and formed a coalition, among them:
Barenaked Ladies, Avril Lavigne, Sarah McLachlan, Chantal Kreviazuk, Sum 41, Stars, Raine Maida (Our Lady Peace), Dave Bidini (Rheostatics), Billy Talent, John K. Samson (Weakerthans), Broken Social Scene, Sloan, Andrew Cash and Bob Wiseman.
Viva la revolucion
The key principles of the CMCC are clear (press release)
Suing Our Fans is Destructive and Hypocritical
Artists do not want to sue music fans. The labels have been suing our fans against artists’ will, and laws enabling these suits cannot be justified in artists’ names
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. Consumers should be able to transfer the music they buy to other formats under a right of fair use, without having to pay twice.
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.”
All wise words. Finally
Michael Geist, the Canada Research Chair of Internet and E-commerce Law at the University of Ottawa responds:
No one should underestimate the importance of this development. After today, House of Commons committee hearings on copyright must include representation from the CMCC. Policy makers and politicians must take the time to consult with the artists themselves. Most importantly, government ministers will no longer be able to make policies in the artists’ name, when those policies represent the views of lobbyists, not artists.
