A coalition of copyright-reforming superstar Canadian musicians paid a visit to Parliament yesterday, and won the hearts of the Members from the New Democratic Party. The Canadian Music Creators Coalition, which includes Barenaked Ladies frontman Steve Page and Andrew Cash from the Cash Brothers, spoke to Parliamentarians about the need for balance in copyright, and the insanity of suing music fans and locking them down with crippled digital music offerings.
NDP Heritage Critic Charlie Angus (Timmins-James Bay) took the message to heart, and the NDP has endorsed the musicians' position on its website. This is a smart move for the NDP, who scored a seat in the riding of Parkdale for candidate Peggy Nash this year when her Liberal Party opponent Sam Bulte imploded over her shameful pattern of taking huge campaign contributions from the copyright industries in exchange for laws favorable to their interests.
"This is not a debate between bands who want to give music away and bands who want to be paid. This issue is about artists who have adapted to new digital markets and an industry that is trying to use legislation to impose a 20th century business model on a new generation of fans. There is no going back. Canadian bands have thrived and adapted. It's time Parliament woke up to this fact."
Angus, who is also a two-time Juno nominee with the band Grievous Angels, said the copyright agenda has been largely driven by corporate interests.
"It's important to have the coalition at the table when new legislation is drafted. New copyright legislation will have profound implications not just for music fans but for students, educators and software innovators. The music coalition is giving politicians a badly needed wake up call."
