(Toronto) – The Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) announced today it has distributed over $100 million collected from the private copying levy to more than 88,000 music rights holders. This milestone has been reached in just four years of distributing the private copying levies.

“The CPCC is delighted to be able to make this announcement,” said Claudette Fortier, Chair of the CPCC. “One of the CPCC’s prime objectives has been to distribute the private copying levies as quickly as possible and to have distributed $100 million dollars is a great achievement.  Of course, even as we celebrate this milestone, we remain focused on the future, and are committed to distributing the levy to even more rights holders. “

When changes in technology made it easy for millions of Canadians to copy music for themselves, rights holders were not being paid for this use of their music. The private copying levy was therefore established to address this concern by compensating music creators when individuals copy music for their own listening enjoyment. For example, Canadians pay a 21 cent levy when they purchase a blank CD.

“The sheer number of recipients of the private copying levy demonstrates the vastness and vitality of the Canadian music scene,” Ms. Fortier continued. “The response we have received from rights holders has reminded us how much they appreciate the levy, just as Canadians appreciate the creators of music.”

Here’s what the CPCC heard from Canadian rights holders:

Michael Belanger (Bell), recording and working artist, vocalist and drummer for Five Man Electrical Band:
“The CPCC and the NRCC have been integral in helping to channel royalties to countless musicians, composers and entertainers who otherwise would not have been paid their rightful and long overdue financial recognition for their efforts in the music industry. The public at large really has no idea of the sacrifice and dedication required to attain a career in music, but having said that, I also believe that the general public would want to see royalties paid to the musicians who make the music they love, in recognition for their countless years of hard work.
I believe that levies are a way for the public to say, ‘Yeah, man…you worked for it, gave us a lot of listening pleasure and you deserve to be paid’.”

Karen Ennis, recording artist, of the Juno award winning musical group Ennis Sisters:
“I feel honoured to be a member of the group Ennis Sisters. I know I speak for my sisters, Maureen and Teresa, when I say that we feel very fortunate to be able to pursue a career in the music industry. While we have had great years, we have also experienced periods when our income has been diminished considerably. Last year, for example, we found ourselves in a long stretch between recording projects when we had little work but still had lots of ongoing expenses. It was such a relief to us to be the recipients of CPCC royalties at that time. This source of revenue for this use of our work meant that we would be able to pay our bills without having to resort to other means to survive between album cycles.”

Molly Johnson, recording artist:
“The royalties I receive from the private copying levy help me to continue to create music. The income generated from this and other royalties support me so that I can focus on the music I want to create.”

Terry McBride, CEO of Nettwerk Productions:
“The private copying levy is a fair way to help compensate artists for the additional reproductions of their copyrights.”

Snow, Juno award winning singer and songwriter:
“When you create something and put it out in the world, you hope people will like what you have produced. And you hope they will respect the effort it took to create. The private copying levies are one way this respect is shown.”

J.R. Vautour, singer and songwriter:
“If it wasn’t for royalties like this, small independent recording artists/companies like myself would simply not be able to stay afloat! Thank goodness we live in a country that takes care of and supports its recording artists…..”

The CPCC is the non-profit agency charged with collecting and distributing private copying royalties. Established in 1999, the CPCC is a collective of collectives that represent songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists, musicians and record companies.

Details on the Distribution of the Levy:

• the CPCC began collecting the levies in 2000 and began distribution in 2003
• 70 percent of the levies available from 2000 to 2005 have already been distributed, totaling over $100 million . Distribution of the remaining 30 percent is ongoing.
• levies collected in 2006 will begin to be distributed later this year

Please see the CPCC website for additional information: www.cpcc.ca

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Contact:
Alison Thompson
CPCC
tel. (416) 486-6832, ex. 221
email: [email protected]