OTTAWA – The Liberal Party’s proposed amendments to the new copyright bill struck a sour note with Canadian screenwriters and broadcasters.
After opposition leader Michael Ignatieff announced revisions to Bill C-32, which include plans for a new fund to offer a private copying compensation payment of $35 million annually to Canadian artists, the Writers Guild of Canada and the Canadian Association of Broadcasters responded to the proposals with a thumbs down.
While acknowledging that the new fund may be a stopgap for the music industry, it “does nothing for authors of movies, TV shows and more”, the WGC said.
“The Liberal proposal correctly recognizes that the Conservative government’s copyright Bill C-32 comes at the expense of creators in Canada”, the group wrote in a statement. “But their solution is short-term, not technology neutral and ignores writers. The Liberal party proposes a new fund of $35 million from general revenue to go to music creators each year. But copyright… is not about handouts – it is about fair payment for the use of works, all works, created.”
The Canadian Association of Broadcasters said that the proposal “fails to recognize the significant role local radio plays in supporting Canadian music artists and local communities across Canada”.
"For over eighty years, Canadian private broadcasters have been the single most important marketing vehicle for Canadian artists," said chair Sylvie Courtemanche, in a statement. "The Liberals don’t understand this issue and their proposed amendment to oppose the broadcaster exception will only provide small compensation to Canadian artists with most flowing out of the country. We have been waiting for reforms to Canada’s copyright law for far too long. We urge the Liberals to recognize the balance provided to all sectors within the present Bill before Parliament."
After saying that Bill C-32 “does not strike a proper balance, particularly in ensuring Canadian artists and creators are fairly compensated for their work”, the Liberals said that they will also seek further amendments in order to:
– Restrict the education exemption by clearly defining “education” and inserting a clear and strict test for “fair” use for education purposes;
– Re-insert the right of ephemeral recordings;
– Restrict and tighten the language for “mash-ups”;
– Remove the arbitrary 1988 statute on public expositions;
– Introduce a new resale right on art, similar to European laws;
– Ensure the rights of Canadian photographers are comparable to those shared by photographers around the world; and
– Address the overly-restrictive digital lock provisions for personal uses.
– Lesley Hunter
