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New Tax in Canada on Blank Recordable Media

Posted by michael on from the pay-the-piper dept.

Adrift writes ""Following the recently concluded public review of the current private copying levies, the Copyright Board announced today that it is setting new levies on blank audio recording media. Effective January 1, 2001, private copying levies will increase to 29 on audio cassette tapes of 40 minutes or longer (remaining zero for tapes of shorter length), 21 on CD-Rs and CD-RWs and 77 on CD-R Audio, CD-RW Audio and MiniDiscs. Manufacturers and importers of blank audio recording media are required to pay these levies to the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) when these media are sold in Canada." The Copyright Board's announcement is here."

3 of 22 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Well, if the people have to pay the tax... by eXtro · · Score: 3

    More justly, since the average user is being penalized a priori for copywrite violation, this should be considered an approval to copy to your hearts desire. I've always been a proponent of paying for what you use, but if corporations are going to keep lobbying for kick backs for assumed piracy then I'm going to change my tune. I'll pay for what I use from companies I support.

    --

    Chris Kuivenhoven is a thief, beware

  2. Well, if the people have to pay the tax... by LocalH · · Score: 3

    ...then the studios should have to pay this tax on all their CD's too. Otherwise, it stifles competition because independent artists have to pay the RECORDING INDUSTRY to create independent content.

    Oh wait. That's the way they want it.
    _______
    Scott Jones
    Newscast Director / ABC19 WKPT

    --
    FC Closer
  3. Nope. by rakslice · · Score: 3

    This levy only applies to blank recording media resold in Canada, and is remitted by resellers. This means that (a) the first reseller is usually a wholesaler/distributor (except when a retailer imports the media directly), (b) the levy is never collected by a customs agency, (c) you never have to remit the levy for media imported that will not be resold (while blank).

    The limitation to blank recording media is interesting: If I import CD-RWs, and then resell them already recorded with something, it would seem that I don't have to pay the levy. =)

    (See Neil Herber's FAQ on the levy for plenty more useful information.)