(Toronto)  The Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) announced today that, with the recent distribution of a further $2.2 million, creators of recorded music have now received a total of $26.4 million in royalty payments from private copying of music in Canada. The private copying royalties are collected through a levy on the sale of blank audio recording media implemented following federal copyright legislation that took effect in 1998.

After a lengthy and arduous process of identifying rights holders eligible to receive private copying royalties, CPCC began distributing funds early in 2003. Just over $17 million was distributed in 2003, with a further $9.4 million distributed so far this year.  Additional distributions are expected later this year.

“I’m very pleased that we have been able to distribute $26.4 million to rights holders,” comments Claudette Fortier, Chair of the Board of Directors of CPCC. “These royalties provide some compensation to rights holders when the recorded music they create is copied without their approval.” “I can’t tell you how gratifying it is to see that envelope in the mail,” adds recording artist and songwriter Amy Sky. “As an artist, you pour your heart and soul into your creation.  The driving force for most creators is to share your work with an audience but you depend on the revenue it produces to enable you to focus on your next work.” “Thanks to legislators in Ottawa, the private copying levy provides significant compensation which coincides with the intangible rewards of creating music that is enjoyed by Canadians. Receiving that check is what enables me to be able to make a living from my art,” concludes performer Marie Denise Pelletier.

The royalties are derived from the private copying provisions of the Copyright Act implemented in recognition of the fact that Canadians copy without authorization a substantial amount of music for their own use in the privacy of their home.  The levy was put in place to ensure that the rights holders in recorded music receive some compensation for their work and investment.

The Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) is a non-profit agency charged with collecting and distributing private copying royalties. Established in 1999, CPCC is a collective of collectives that represent music authors, music publishers, recording artists and record companies.

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For more information contact: Catherine Allman,
hawkestone communications – public affairs
tel. (416) 485-4606;
email: [email protected]