(Toronto) – The Copyright Board of Canada today issued an interim Private Copying Tariff for 2007. Under the interim tariff, the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) will continue to collect private copying levies at the current rate until the Copyright Board issues a final decision in 2007.

Since 2001, the private copying levies have remained constant at 21 cents on CD-R and CD-RW, 29 cents on audio cassettes and 77 cents on MiniDiscs, CD-R audio and CD-RW audio. The CPCC has been operating under interim tariffs since the end of the Private Copying Tariff 2003-2004.

On October 24, 2006, the Copyright Board heard evidence presented by the CPCC in support of the proposed tariffs for 2005, 2006, and 2007. While the CPCC has not asked for an increase in the levy rates, it has requested amendments in the 2007 tariff that will strengthen its ability to effectively audit reporting companies and enforce the tariff.

“The CPCC made a strong case for the amendments requested. These changes will go a long way in assisting the CPCC in ensuring that music rights holders receive the remuneration to which they are entitled. Of equal importance, these amendments will promote a fair marketplace and level playing field for the manufacturers and importers that abide by their legal obligations. I look forward to the Board’s decision in the new year,” commented Claudette Fortier, Chair of the CPCC.

The CPCC is the non-profit agency that collects the private copying royalty and distributes it to its member collectives, which represent song writers, composers, music publishers, recording artists, musicians and record companies.

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For more information contact:
Alison Thompson
CPCC
tel. (416) 486-6832, ex. 221
email: [email protected]