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Proposed Canadian MP3 Player Tax Struck Down
Sgs-Cruz writes "The Globe and Mail reports that the Canadian Federal Court of Appeal has struck down the Canadian Copyright Board's proposed tax on the capacity of digital music players such as the iPod. The article also makes clear why this won't lead to an end to the levy on blank media such as CD-R in Canada."
As a resident of Canada, I am ecstatic about this news.
The price of electronics is already much higher than in the States; this law would have merely exacerbated the issue and forced more Canadians to take a border run for their iPod fix.
The law effectively legalized file sharing and its been shot down so the fights will go on. I like the idea of paying 50$ extra for an mp3 player and getting free music to fill it.
Also its impossible to argue that mp3 players are used legally.
I have an iPod 80gig. From iTunes if i bought music there it would cost over 10,000$ to fill it easily. I seriously doubt anyone is willing to pony up that kind of cash for an mp3 player.
Not to sound harsh, but in my Canada songwriters get paid to write songs, not because I have an internet connection. Breweries don't get paid because I have water to my home. (and I might use it to brew beer)
"History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme." Mark Twain
Thats not really a good analogy. The real question is where does it end? Would we need another 5$ each for Books, Movies, Encyclopedias, Software, etc. Before you know it we're paying $100 a month for Internet access.