Artists for common sense, not conglomerates

Filed in archive Artists on May 2, 2006

The Canadian Music Creators Coaltion formed to provide a voice for artists separate from that controlled by the major recording labels. The group includes major Candadian artists like Barenaked Ladies, Avril Lavigne, and Sarah McLachlan. It appears to be an expansion of the initiative undertaken by the Nettwerk Music Group, which recently paid for a U.S. consumer to fight a copyright infringement lawsuit.

The Coalition's policies strive for common sense and fairness and respect music fans. The group attacks RIAA and its international music association counterparts.

From their web site:

1. Suing Our Fans is Destructive and Hypocritical

Artists do not want to sue music fans. The labels have been suing our fans against our will, and laws enabling these suits cannot be justified in our names. We oppose any copyright reforms that would make it easier for record companies to do this. The government should repeal provisions of the Copyright Act that allow labels to unfairly punish fans who share music for non-commercial purposes with statutory damages of $500 to $20,000 per song.

2. 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. The government should not blindly implement decade-old treaties designed to give control to major labels and take choices away from artists and consumers. Laws should protect artists and consumers, not restrictive technologies. Consumers should be able to transfer the music they buy to other formats under a right of fair use, without having to pay twice.