The music-related aspects of Canada’s much-debated Bill C-11, the Copyright Modernisation Act, have become effective in law.
The Bill allows consumers to use copyrighted entertainment content legally for non-commercial parodies, satire and mash-ups – an area of user-generated content creation that has exploded in the YouTube era.
C-11’s provisions also mean that consumers can copy their legally-acquired music and entertainment content onto different devices.
The Bill will eventually also force ISPs to pass on notices they receive from rights-holders concerning copyright infringement to users suspected of illegally downloading or sharing content.
However, this aspect of the Bill has been delayed in order to implement these changes in a “balanced, effective and efficient manner”.
Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA) Executive Director Catharine Saxberg said: “While the Government has had much to say about the new consumer friendly aspects of C-11, they have had much less to say about the serious problems this law poses for creators and rights holders.
“With the announcement of these regulations, tangible sources of revenue for creators and rights holders are further jeopardised. We continue to raise our concerns with the government and hope that they will eventually recognise the unfortunate repercussions of C-11, and the value and importance of creative industries to Canada.”Music Business Worldwide
