TORONTO – As the federal government’s copyright consultations draw to a close this weekend, ACTRA is calling for the new regulations to balance the interests of Canadian consumers and the rights of Canadian creators.
"As performers, we want Canadians to be able to enjoy our work where and where they want”, said ACTRA’s national president Ferne Downey, in a statement. “But to maintain the balance, copyright laws must build on existing royalty systems so that income flows to artists regardless of how digital media develop. Private copying and collective licensing gives Canadians the freedom to watch digital content on their iPods or laptops while ensuring artists are compensated for their work."
ACTRA said that its priorities for reform include providing performers with “a full range” of economic and moral rights in sound recordings, and for those same rights to be extended to audio-visual performers.
The federal government is expected to introduce a new copyright bill during the upcoming Fall legislative session.
