The IFPI, which represents the major music labels internationally, is out with its annual piracy report. Canada gets a fair amount of attention as we are one of ten priority countries. In explaining the situation in Canada, the IFPI resorts to a series of mischaracterizations and omissions that piggyback CRIA claims and therefore demand a rebuttal.
The report begins with: “Legitimate online services have struggled in the face of outdated copyright laws and the resulting widespread digital piracy.”
While the question of whether Canada’s online services have struggled is open to debate, attributing the cause copyright laws is plainly wrong. There are a wide range of factors – later start in the market, fewer providers, smaller selection, and less interest in e-commerce are all undoubtedly additional factors. So too is the private copying levy which may be viewed by some as legitimate competitor given that more than $150 million has been collected for artists and the industry.
“Canada has yet to fulfill its longstanding commitment to ratify the 1996 WIPO Treaties to protect digital copyright.”
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