Blank Media Prices Could Soar In Canada

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!"

Comments

Mail order.

[GMontag451]

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

Incomplete link.

[Dr Caleb]

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.

exchange rate

[syrinx]

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

Re:exchange rate

[crow]

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

I may start ordering CDs from Canada...

[lightspawn]

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

Re:I may start ordering CDs from Canada...

[metacosm]

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).

I hope it does pass!

[Dimwit]

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!"

Re:I hope it does pass!

[Screaming Lunatic]

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.

Email your MPs

[Screaming Lunatic]

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,

Re:Cross the Border

[Dr Caleb]

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!?!