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CBC Bans Use of Creative Commons Music On Podcasts

Posted by timothy on from the but-that's-un-canadian dept.

An anonymous reader writes "The producers of the popular CBC radio show Spark have revealed (see the comments) that the public broadcaster has banned programs from using Creative Commons licenced music on podcasts. The decision is apparently the result of restrictions in collective agreements the CBC has with some talent agencies. In other words, groups are actively working to block the use of Creative Commons licenced alternatives in their contractual language. It is enormously problematic to learn that our public broadcaster is blocked from using music alternatives that the creators want to make readily available. The CBC obviously isn't required to use Creative Commons licenced music, but this highlights an instance where at least one of its programs wants to use it and groups that purport to support artists' right to choose the rights associated with their work is trying to stop them from doing so."

3 of 148 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Really, Slashdot? by h4rr4r · · Score: 0, Redundant

    You think it is a negative term? Did it make you sad? Do you need a hug so you can feel better about yourself?

    Or you could grow the fuck up, Nancy.

  2. why not just put the podcast on the net? by bl8n8r · · Score: 0, Redundant

    there's this great app called the internet, perhaps you've heard?

    --
    boycott slashdot February 10th - 17th check out: altSlashdot.org
  3. CBC response by McGiraf · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Here is what the CBC as to say about this:

    Chris Boyce the Programming Director at CBC Radio just issued a statement on the tread located:

    http://www.cbc.ca/spark/2010/10/spark-122-october-3-6-2010/#IDComment102867146

    It reads:

    "We’ve been listening to the conversations today regarding a “ban” on the use of Creative Commons music in our podcasts and want to take the opportunity to clarify some of the misconceptions that are floating out there.

    The CBC has always embraced new ways of creating and sharing the content we make (in fact, shows like Spark and previously Search Engine were some of the first in Canada to use this type of music license in their programming), however, just like you, we must do so in a way which respects the limits put on that use by the music's creators.

    The issue with our use of Creative Commons music is that a lot of our content is readily available on a multitude of platforms, some of which are deemed to be “commercial” in nature (e.g. streaming with pre-roll ads, or pay for download on iTunes) and currently the vast majority of the music available under a Creative Commons license prohibits commercial use.

    In order to ensure that we continue to be in line with current Canadian copyright laws, and given the lack of a wide range of music that has a Creative Commons license allowing for commercial use, we made a decision to use music from our production library in our podcasts as this music has the proper usage rights attached.

    Everyone can rest easy-- there are no “groups” setting out to stop the use of Creative Commons music at the CBC, and we will continue to use Creative Commons licensed music, pictures etc. across a number of our non-commercial platforms.

    We hope this helps clarify things.

    Sincerely,

    Chris Boyce
    Programming Director.
    CBC Radio. "