http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/arts/television/john-doyle/the-post-stursberg-cbc-tilt-goes-the-tightrope/article1671986/
“Stursberg’s CBC is ratings-driven, populist, pop-culture-obsessed in its news coverage, lightweight, disdainful of the arts and mortally afraid of appearing highbrow.”
“…anyone who thinks that Stursberg’s departure means a reversal of his various TV and radio implementations is kidding him- or herself. The five-year plan has more to do with capital spending, hardware and financial management systems than it has to do with dramas and sitcom on TV or the genre of music played on CBC radio
channels. Things are not going backward. If you worship at the altar of the old CBC of Peter Gzowski and Barbara Frum, you are not going home again. We’ll all be living with Stursberg’s CBC for a long time to come.”
Heritage Minister James Moore ignited a wasp’s nest of angry responses when he labelled those oposed to copyright reform “radical extremists”. Most of the response comes from those who do not wish to be hindered in how they choose to use digital media they have purchased.
However, no one seems to have an alternate solution for how the creators of digital media can be ensured that they get compensated for creating. Everyone wants unfettered access to what is created, and unfortunately in this day and age, piracy has pretty much killed my ability to make a living creating music.
Digital locks will not prevent this, but what other model is there that today’s consumer would support that would ensure that I can get paid for what I produce?
Should I work at Tim Horton’s, and in my spare time, produce music for everyone to have access to for free?
The Canadian government has tabled legislation that when passed will provide modern copyright protection in line with the rest of the world.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/tories-unveil-tougher-copyright-bill/article1589815/
From Billboard.biz: http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/content_display/industry/e3i0179550940df36d10ad3bbee9882464f
— A new copyright bill was introduced in Canada on Wednesday. IP lawyer Barry Sookman hailed the bill’s allowance to create mash-ups from copyrighted material and said the bill, if passed, “would probably be the most copyright-user-friendly bill anywhere in the world.” That provision for user-generated content would allow people to create mash-ups if not for commercial gain, the source is mentioned and if the new work does not have a “substantial adverse effect” on the existing copyright. The bill includes tough penalties for circumventing digital locks and would allow for format of songs for personal use. New fair use provisions in the bill include education, parody and satire. Record labels and movie studios may not like that the proposed bill says ISPs cannot be held liable for the copyright infringements of their customers. However, the bill does formalize the system by which content owners send infringement notices to ISP customers. In addition, the bill creates a new civil liability category for businesses that enable piracy.
Canada’s recalibrated government committed itself last week to reintroduce modern copyright legislation – and this time to really, really work seriously to pass it. (Globe and Mail, March 7-10)
www.theglobeandmail.com/blogs/brian-topp/two-cheers-for-the-government-no-really/article1492772/
Industry Minister Tony Clement will “soon be announcing a discussion paper on the so-called “Digital Economy Strategy,” and asking anybody who has a point of view to fire it off to Ottawa — through Facebook, e-mail or Canada Post.” (CP, April 5, 2010)
www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/feds-plan-major-digital-consultation/article1523446/’/
Heritage Minister James Moore has spoken clearly about his government’s support for new digital media initiatives.
The federal government has been “updating [their] policies and taking concrete action to benefit from the numerous possibilities of the digital era”. (Rt Hn. James Moore)
Sources of funding for classical recording such as the Canada Council have been instructed to end their current related programs, and the money is being reallocated to programs that support businesses and artists involved in digital market development (as well as international market development).
Currently these programs focus on interactive projects that “require applicants to design their projects across a minimum of two distribution platforms, including television”. The minister has also said that the fund is designed specifically to “increase the visibility of Canadian music on digital platforms and in international markets” and that it is committed to supporting Canadian music culture, especially where it is seeking to “seize the many opportunities offered by digital technology“ but there are, however, currently no apparent policies that directly support the recording and broadcasting needs of classical music.
He has funneled money into the Canada Music Fund, which as of April 1 is aimed at music entrepreneurs and businesses. (CBC, July 31-09)
www.cbc.ca/arts/music/story/2009/07/31/music-fund.html
The MUSIC and New Digital Media REPORT 