Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Blank Media Prices Could Soar In Canada

Posted by timothy on from the going-up dept.

kidlinux writes "The Canadian Coalition for Fair Digital Access (CCFDA) composed of businesses like HP, Apple, Best Buy, and Costco may consider pulling recordable media products like mp3 players, digital cameras, and associated media if a recording industry backed media levy is ratified. From the article "if the proposed levy is approved MP3 players such as Creative Labs's Nomad, RCA's Lyra, and Apple's Ipod will increase $112 or more on average". Blank CDs will go up from $50 (on which we already pay $21 in levies) to $88 dollars per pack of 100. The media levies have been getting worse and worse here. Personally, I think sales of above mentioned items will speak for themselves, however, the CCFDA's website has contacts for the Government of Canada's representatives - contact them with your objections!"

44 of 85 comments (clear)

  1. Mail order. by GMontag451 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Just buy them mail order. $50 per 100 is already incredibly expensive. You can get 400 for $60 at places in the US.

    1. Re:Mail order. by roseblood · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Well, I can see this as a nice opportunity for profit. Let the smuggling begin!

      --
      There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.
    2. Re:Mail order. by quintessent · · Score: 2

      Hmmm. Looks like a good opportunity here. You pay someone to bring the stuff over the border and mail it to you. The CD runners are on the loose!

      --
      Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.
    3. Re:Mail order. by Kwikymart · · Score: 2

      Nope, it's legal to bring recordable media into Canada to avoid the levy as long as you don't resell it. It is illegal to not declare the items you bring through the border, though.

      --

      Buying a Dell computer is equivalent to dropping the soap in a prison shower.
    4. Re:Mail order. by BitterOak · · Score: 2
      Unfortunatly, there is some law that specifies all US companies must use UPS when delivering to Canada.

      This is completely false. I live in Canada and have had things shipped here by several different methods, UPS being only one of them.

      we must also pay a *UPS tax*

      Again, that's bullshit. In some cases you may need to pay a broker's fee to get it through customs, but it doesn't usually apply to individuals (as opposed to corporations), although if you have to pay it once you'll have to pay it each future time you receive a shipment via UPS.

      Try checking your facts before posting such nonsense.

      --
      If I can be modded down for being a troll, can I be modded up for being an orc, or a balrog?
  2. In that case... by digerata · · Score: 2, Insightful
    I live in the US and since our prices aren't going up...

    Send me a check in the mail for whatever you want plus 5% commission and shipping charges and I'll send you back your buy.

    --

    1;
  3. Incomplete link. by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 5, Informative
    It should be: http://canada.gc.ca/

    The actual place to find MP's emails is here. Imagine that, an editor not checking the links.

    --
    "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
  4. exchange rate by syrinx · · Score: 5, Funny

    So MP3 players go up $112 Canadian... that's, what, $5 US?

    --
    Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum sonatur.
    1. Re:exchange rate by crow · · Score: 4, Informative

      Actually, $112.00CND is $71.7810US. Still significant.

  5. It's only a matter of time... by HotNeedleOfInquiry · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Before they levy a media charge for pencil and paper.

    --
    "Eve of Destruction", it's not just for old hippies anymore...
    1. Re:It's only a matter of time... by SolarInfinity · · Score: 2, Funny

      Or for Sharpees, because they might be used to defeat copy protection.

  6. I may start ordering CDs from Canada... by lightspawn · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Since they're music-industry prepaid, I can record any (RIAA) music I like legally on them, right?

    1. Re:I may start ordering CDs from Canada... by fonebone · · Score: 2

      that's actually right, and that's indeed the point. if i'm not mistaken, in canada you're legally allowed to make copies for your own purposes or to lend to a friend, and they make up for it with these costs added to blank media.

      --
      when the rain comes, they run and hide their heads. they might as well be dead.
    2. Re:I may start ordering CDs from Canada... by metacosm · · Score: 4, Insightful

      What about people who use this Media/Hardware for other purposes -- why should they have to suffer!

      It is scary the massive amount of power the media industry must wield in Canada.

      Beyond that, it won't work. Honestly, in the age of globalization and the internet, it seems all this would do is drive people to order media online only and in bulk (to reduce shipping costs and dodge the tax).

    3. Re:I may start ordering CDs from Canada... by Sentry21 · · Score: 2

      Not quite. You can record any songs owned by the Canadian equivalent of the RIAA (forget their acroname now, but they have one...). This means, to me, that I can copy anything, but there's likely to be trash that you can't copy that I could, and trash that you could copy that I can't.

      --Dan

    4. Re:I may start ordering CDs from Canada... by quintessent · · Score: 2

      Yes. Canadian law lets you copy CDs.

      By the way, people in the U.S. pay a levy on all recordable CDs as well, only smaller. Kind of ridiculous when I'm buying CDs for my photos or something.

      --
      Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.
  7. 50$ for 100 blank CDs? I don't think so. by Sandman1971 · · Score: 2

    I live in Canada. Unless you buy your blanks at chain stores like Future Shop, you won't pay 50$ for 100 blank CDs. I just bought a bundle of 100 for 18$ (all Canadian prices).

    --
    It's better to burn out than to fade away
    1. Re:50$ for 100 blank CDs? I don't think so. by Screaming+Lunatic · · Score: 3, Informative

      You live in Prince George? Ouch, that's gotta hurt. You can get 100 CDs $39 from here. These are 80min,48x CDs. Probably get the 72min cheaper elsewhere.

    2. Re:50$ for 100 blank CDs? I don't think so. by roll_w.it · · Score: 2, Informative

      or $32 here

    3. Re:50$ for 100 blank CDs? I don't think so. by Screaming+Lunatic · · Score: 2
      I forget the name of the place at MetroTown. But they sell CDs cheap as hell there. But, I have to agree with you on the A-Power deal.

      Any idea how much they are at Costco?

  8. I hope it does pass! by Dimwit · · Score: 4, Insightful

    The whole point of this "tax" is to cover the supposed cost of piracy. With money like that, they have no right to say you can't pirate - "Of course I can pirate, the cost to the recording industry was covered when I bought the blanks!"

    --
    ...but it's being eaten...by some...Linux or something...
    1. Re:I hope it does pass! by Screaming+Lunatic · · Score: 5, Insightful
      That is not the whole point. RTFL (Read the fucking legislation) It's called the "Private Copying Tariff".

      A "private copy" is a copy of a track, or a substantial part of a track, of recorded music that is made by an individual for his or her own personal use. A compilation of favorite tracks is a good example of how people typically use private copies. In contrast, a copy made for someone else or for any purpose other than the copier's own use is not a private copy.

      So I'm paying a levy because my Matt Good CD is in my CD player at home, but I have a copy sitting in my car, so I won't lose it, scratch it, etc.

      And 75% of that levy is marked for "record publishers" which may be national corporations. 25% is marked for artists and local record companies. So Matt Good or Battle Axe Records won't be seeing squat compared to what Sony would get.

    2. Re:I hope it does pass! by Sentry21 · · Score: 2

      The thing you should note is that, according to the current legislation, you can make a (legal) 'private copy' of someone else's music (i.e. a friend's Sneaker Pimps CD) for your own use. The distinction is that they cannot legally make one for your use, you have to make it yourself. Thus, you can borrow and burn all you want, but do it from the originals.

      Your point, therefore, is moot, however I do not entirely disagree with you. CD-Rs today are classified as 'Audio' or 'Data', and both are tariffed, albeit not as much. I suggest that data CDs be not tariffed at all, and then people who wish to borrow 'n' burn can do so by buying Audio CD-R discs, knowing that artists are being compensated to some extent (moreso than if there was no tariff).

      Just a thought.

      --Dan

    3. Re:I hope it does pass! by quintessent · · Score: 2

      The same goes for the CD-R "tax" in the United States, by the way.

      --
      Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.
  9. lawsuit against RIAA by www.sorehands.com · · Score: 2

    Why are there not lawsuit against the RIAA and other "publishers" who are collecting money from these fees and making copy protected media.

    If they are getting money, they should either get the fees or copy protection. Not both!

    --
    Fight Spammers!
    1. Re:lawsuit against RIAA by quintessent · · Score: 2

      Better yet--neither.

      When I back up a CD for personal use, it's none of their business. They are not losing a legitimate cent.

      --
      Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.
  10. Email your MPs by Screaming+Lunatic · · Score: 5, Informative
    Here's the email is sent to my MP, the Industry, Heritage, and Finance Ministers. I encourage other Canadian /.ers to do the same.

    Dear Sirs and Madam,

    I am very concerned about the Private Copying Tariff that I am forced to pay every time that I purchase recordable media. I am enraged that the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) and the Copyright Board are proposing to increase the tariff.

    First and foremost, the CPCC is responsible for collection, distribution and enforcement of this tariff. However, the CPCC is not an arm of the government and therefore is not accountable to voters and taxpayers.

    Secondly, they have collected $28 million over the last few years. However, they have not distributed any of the collected monies. Furthermore, 75% of the collected levy is earmarked for publishers. These publishers do not have to be Canadian business and most likely will be large American record labels. Local artists and record companies are forced to fight over the smaller piece of the pie. This should be a great concern for the Honourable Heritage Minister.

    The levy applies to all recordable media despite what said media may be used for. Whenever I archive pictures of my family, record labels benefit. Whenever I backup data, record labels benefit. This should be a great concern for the Honourable Minister of Industry. The bottom line of businesses that rely on recordable media is affected.

    What is most disturbing is that I am considered a thief the moment I purchase recordable media. I am given no opportunity to present my case.

    Currently, I am able to purchase a CD-R for about $0.39 retail. Of that $0.39, $0.21 of the cost is the levy. The new proposed levy is $0.59. That is absolutely ridiculous. About 75% of the cost of the CD will be the levy.

    I urge all Members of Parliament to consider the effects this levy will have on Canadians and Canadian business. This levy benefits large record labels and is detrimental to average Canadians and independent artists in particular.

    Sincerely,

    1. Re:Email your MPs by Blue_Fox · · Score: 2, Informative

      Sending to your MP is good. Forget the ministers listed on the web site, since the Liberals around Cretien aren't about to start listening now. Just look at the $2M gun registry that will end up costing taxpayers 500 times that amount.

      Back benchers are being heard now, so there is a good chance things can be changed if enough people take issue with the levy.

      Snow season is here, and if we're lucky as a nation, perhaps Mr. Cretien will decide to take a walk in it.

      (For our American friends, Trudeau, a former Prime Minister, took what has become a famous "walk in the snow" during which he decided to retire.)

    2. Re:Email your MPs by Screaming+Lunatic · · Score: 2

      I actually emailed it to my MP, Svend Robinson, as well. Let's see if he replies back. If he does, he definitely will raise a stink about it. He's just the type of guy that would take offense to stuff like this.

    3. Re:Email your MPs by CokeBear · · Score: 2

      Svend Robinson is like Canada's version of Paul Wellstone. (and thats in a country where most politicians are already to the left of Mr Wellstone). Oh yeah, and Mr Robinson is also openly gay (not that there's anything wrong with that). Consider yourself lucky that you are represented one of the most "progressive" politicians in North America. He might actually get something done here.

      --
      Reality has a liberal bias
    4. Re:Email your MPs by quintessent · · Score: 2

      Even more fun: e-mail your MPs your MP3s.

      --
      Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.
  11. Time for Canada to ditch Copyright by Henry+V+.009 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    I hope that Canada carries this policy to its logical conclusion:

    Canada should ditch copyright completely. Artists could be paid a government stipend based entirely on popularity (wonderful deal for artists, let me tell you). The government can levy an 'Entertainment' tax in whatever manner it chooses.

    1. Re:Time for Canada to ditch Copyright by Henry+V+.009 · · Score: 2

      Not quite right, because: IN SOVIET RUSSIA the females assign "Big Brother" to YOU!

  12. Re:In that case...Offtopic but... by the_other_one · · Score: 3, Funny

    A few years ago at a prior employer I had written a specification for an enhancement to a large financial application. It had much to do with cheque printing.

    Just prior to printing multiple copies of this document for a meeting that was about to start while the printouts were still warm. I did a spell cheque on a machine that obviously had MS Word configured differently from mine

    As the various copies are just about finished being passed around to the upper brass of my company and the client 's top brass; One of them asks "What are Tax Remittance Cheeses?"

    At this point I was rather worried about my next payroll cheese

    --
    134340: I am not a number. I am a free planet!
  13. Re:Email your MPs - minor mods by LUN!X · · Score: 2, Interesting
    Just made a couple minor mods to parent post.. basically the same thing. Props to Screaming Lunatic of course :D
    Dear Sirs and Madam,

    I am overwhelmingly displeased with the Private Copying Tariff that I am forced to pay every time that I purchase recordable CD media. I am enraged that the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) and the Copyright Board are proposing to increase this tariff.

    First and foremost, the CPCC is responsible for collection, distribution and enforcement of this tariff. However, the CPCC is not an arm of the government and therefore is not accountable to voters and taxpayers.

    Secondly, they have collected $28 million over the last few years. However, they have not distributed any of the collected monies to the people supposedly deserving of those monies. Furthermore, 75% of the collected levy is earmarked for publishers. These publishers are not necessarily Canadian businesses and indeed, most are large American record labels. Local artists and record companies are forced to fight over the smaller piece of the ill-gotten pie. This should be a great concern for the Honourable Heritage Minister.

    The levy applies to all recordable media, despite my intentions for that media. As an example, whenever I archive pictures of my family, record labels benefit. Whenever I back up my personal data, record labels benefit. This should also be of great concern to the Honourable Minister of Industry, since the bottom line of businesses that rely on consumers purchasing recordable media is ultimately adversely affected by this unfair tariff imposed at the behest of record labels.

    What is most disturbing is that I am treated as a thief every time that I purchase recordable media. I am given no opportunity to present my case, nor am I accorded the dignity and respect that I deserve as a law-abiding Canadian citizen. I find it particularly galling that the American recording industry is primarily responsible for this insult.

    Currently, I am able to purchase a CD-R for about $0.39 retail. Of that $0.39, $0.21 of the cost is the levy. The new proposed levy is $0.59. That is absolutely ridiculous. About 75% of the cost of the CD will be the levy.

    I urge all Members of Parliament to consider the effects this levy will have on Canadians and Canadian business. This levy benefits large record labels and is detrimental to all Canadians.

    Sincerely,
    your name here
  14. Copies of what by nuggz · · Score: 2

    Most of the CD's I burn (about 40 in the last month)

    were, linux CD's (debian/mandrake/gentoo)

    Audio (from mp3.com, there is nice stuff in Electronic/Ambient)

    CD's of digital photos.

    I shouldn't have to pay Britney Spears for my family photos.

  15. 75% for publishers, 25% for artists by dpilot · · Score: 2

    And why do I have this ugly feeling that publishers get a 95% cut out of the artists' 25%, too.

    Maybe I'm all wet on this, but it's perception, and I'll bet it's not limited to me. In the computing and software industry, we unfortunately know how perception is sometimes more importatnt that reality, though we also lament it.

    --
    The living have better things to do than to continue hating the dead.
  16. Cross the Border by Cyno01 · · Score: 2

    Just as we went up north during prohibition to get our fix we're gonna have canadians coming down here to buy blank CD-Rs. $50 per 100?!?! I got 200 for $3-US (after rebates of course) at office max.

    --
    "Sic Semper Tyrannosaurus Rex."
    1. Re:Cross the Border by Dr+Caleb · · Score: 4, Informative
      Not just for CD's. The legislation applies to all recordable digital media. DVD+RW's, Hard discs, magnetic tape etc. That's why iPod's will cost more.

      So we get to pay the CPCC/RIAA just to be able to boot an O/S or back it up. Aren't we lucky!?!

      --
      "History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
  17. Re:Buy from a US site? by quintessent · · Score: 2

    Man in dark coat on the street: "Hey, buddy. Wanna buy a hard drive?"

    --
    Donate background CPU time to fight cancer.
  18. Gov't pays out too by phorm · · Score: 2

    My question is, doesn't the government realize that they're shooting themselves in the foot too?
    How many government agencies purchase recordable CD's. As DVD and CD-R's become more popular (as backup, etc), how will this increase?

    How many government organizations are allowed to pirate? I work in schools, and every year one of the schools in the district gets audited/checked by the software police. Anybody I find with Kazaa gets a quick introduction to "add/remove programs" (and then ad-aware). We do use a fair amount of CD-R's, for either backing up data or ghost images, etc etc. As software is bought on a license basis, there can also be copies of the originals (that don't work without a valid key anyways), so that the masters can be kept safe.

    So what happens when all the government-run sectors have to pay 4x the amount of recordable media? I think they might notice some problems there.

    Jean: Mike, the server crashed again so we'll need to restore the backups.
    Mike: Ummm, sorry Jean, ever since the tariffs went up we haven't been able to afford backup discs. We tried going back to tape but then they taxed that too. We still have our backup discs from 1999 though, will those work?

  19. Have I got a deal for you Canadians! by teamhasnoi · · Score: 2
    When your guy decriminalizes dope, you can trade it with Americans for CD-Rs!

    Everybody Happy! What a Coun-try!

  20. They'll have to pay the tax anyway. by User+956 · · Score: 2

    Send me a check in the mail for whatever you want plus 5% commission and shipping charges and I'll send you back your buy.

    You are aware, of course, that packages are opened and searched at the border, and your Canadian friends would probably end up paying the tax anyway.

    --
    The theory of relativity doesn't work right in Arkansas.
  21. Big deal. by Wakko+Warner · · Score: 2

    All these levies mean music piracy is, therefore, perfectly legal in Canada.

    So quit whining.

    - A.P.

    --
    "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"