Music Canada Applauds Government of Canada for Moving Forward on Copyright Board Reform

Oct. 30, 2018, Toronto: Music Canada is pleased to see the Government of Canada has taken concrete action to support Canadian creators and the labels that invest in them through reforms to the Copyright Board of Canada. The changes, which were tabled yesterday in the Budget Implementation Act, 2018, No. 2, will make the Board’s processes faster, more efficient, and more predictable.

“Music Canada thanks the Hon. Navdeep Bains for his vision on these changes, and for his leadership throughout the Copyright Board reform process,” says Graham Henderson, President and CEO of Music Canada. “A modernized Copyright Board will mean a more predictable and transparent process for all participants, which will support royalty rate-setting that better reflects the true value of music in a functioning marketplace. By ensuring a more efficient regulatory environment, these changes will help put more money in creators’ pockets and strengthen Canada’s economic competitiveness.”

Copyright Board reform has long been a priority for the music sector, as the rates set by the Board directly impact the value of music and the amount that artists and labels receive for their music and investments. Music Canada has been a leading advocate for reform, having participated in the Senate hearings on the Copyright Board, the government consultation on reforming the Board, and the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage’s Review of the Canadian Music Industry, each time appearing as a key stakeholder in favour of full and meaningful reforms.

By implementing these changes, the Government is following through on their commitment made in the 2018 federal budget, which proposed a new Intellectual Property Strategy that enables economic growth. A reformed Copyright Board will create a more competitive and predictable business environment that supports investment in the creative industries, fostering innovation in the cultural sector.

Music Canada looks forward to seeing the final details on the implementation of these changes and working with the government to implement this innovative agenda for the Copyright Board of Canada.

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For more information:
Corey Poole, Music Canada
cpoole@musiccanada.com
+1 (647) 808-7359

About Music Canada
Music Canada is a non-profit trade organization that represents the major record companies in Canada:  Sony Music Entertainment Canada, Universal Music Canada and Warner Music Canada. Music Canada also works with some of the leading independent record labels and distributors, recording studios, live music venues, concert promoters, managers and artists in the promotion and development of the music cluster.