(Toronto) – Today, the Copyright Board of Canada published the Private Copying Tariffs for 2005, 2006 and 2007. The Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC), the organization responsible for collecting and distributing the private copying levies, has been working under interim tariffs for over two years.

Since 2001, the private copying levies have remained constant at 21¢ on CD-R and CD-RW; 29¢ on audio cassettes; and 77¢ on MiniDiscs, CD-R Audio and CD-RW Audio. The tariff approved by the Copyright Board for 2005, 2006 and 2007 reduces the levy on audio cassettes to 24¢, and the levy on MiniDiscs, CD-R Audio and CD-RW Audio to 21¢, effective January 1st 2005. There was no change to the rates for CD-R and CD-RW.

In addition, the tariff certified for 2005, 2006 and 2007 more explicitly identifies the types of documents that need to be provided to the CPCC’s auditors by importers or manufacturers of blank audio recording media, and contains new confidentiality provisions that specify what use may be made of information obtained in an audit.

“The CPCC is understandably disappointed in the Copyright Board’s decision to reduce the levy on certain media types. The CPCC will develop a plan to reimburse importers and manufacturers for the higher levies collected under the Interim Private Copying Tariffs of 2005, 2006 and 2007. Also, the CPCC Board of Directors will decide in the near future how this affects our position for the proposed 2008-2009 Private Copying Tariff,” stated Claudette Fortier, Chair of the CPCC. “On the other hand, the CPCC is extremely pleased with the administrative amendments to the tariff. These changes clarify the reporting companies’ responsibilities and will make the audit process more effective. The new confidentiality provisions will assist the CPCC in enforcing the tariff, and ensuring that there is a level playing field for all importers and manufacturers.”

The levy collected by the CPCC is distributed to music rights holders to provide some compensation for private copies being made of their music without authorization or payment.  This remuneration helps artists to continue to make music.

“Without royalties, including the levy, eventually the creation of music would dry up. Only the rich and successful musicians would survive. With the levy and royalties, the money goes back to everyone in the music sector so emerging artists are supported too. As a result, people enjoy a much broader range of music,” said Dan Hill, Juno and GRAMMY award winning singer and songwriter.

The CPCC is the non-profit agency charged with collecting and distributing private copying royalties. Established in 1999, the CPCC is a collective of collectives that represent songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists, musicians and record companies.

The Private Copying Tariff for 2005, 2006 and 2007 is available on the Copyright Board of Canada website: www.cb-cda.gc.ca.

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For more information, contact:
Shannon Reynolds
CPCC
tel. (416) 486-6832, ex. 222
email: [email protected]