Toronto – The Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) congratulates the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for their support to extend the private copying levy to digital music recorders.

In Tuesday’s meeting, MP Carole Lavallée moved that the Committee report to the House of Commons “That the Committee recommends that the government amend Part VIII of the Copyright Act so that the definition of “audio recording medium” extends to devices with internal memory, so that the levy on copying music will apply to digital music recorders as well, thereby entitling music creators to some compensation for the copies made of their work”. The motion passed by a 6 to 5 margin.

“MP Lavallée’s motion recognizes the need for copyright law to keep pace with changes in technology in order to ensure that artists receive fair compensation for the use of their work,” states Annie Morin, Chair of the CPCC Board of Directors. “Millions of private copies are made by Canadians each year, yet the legislation does not apply to the most common way private copies are made and consequently, artists are not compensated for their work. A levy on digital audio devices will restore the balance the original legislation intended to create.”

The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage report recommending that the government extend the levy was tabled in the House of Commons yesterday.

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.

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Further information:
Alison Thompson
CPCC
416-486-6832 ext 221
[email protected]
www.savethelevy.ca