Music Publishers Welcome Consultations on the Operations of the Copyright Board

TORONTO, Aug. 9, 2017 /CNW/ - The Canadian Music Publishers Association and Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. welcome the federal government's consultations on how to review the work of the Copyright Board of Canada and are committed to participating fully in the consultation process.

"The operation and resulting decisions of the Board are crucial to the development and growth of the music publishing industry in Canada", says Canadian Music Publishers Association Executive Director Margaret McGuffin. "The Canadian Music Publishers Association has long agreed with the need to make the Board's tariff-setting process as efficient and effective as possible, especially at a time of profound change in the digital world."

"Canadian music publishers welcome the growth of new services and technologies that connect music fans with the music they love," McGuffin said. "The growth of the online music market presents a vital opportunity for both songwriters and music publishers to realize the full economic potential of the music they create and promote. At the same time, those rights holders deserve to receive fair value for what their music brings to those music services. To do so, they require an independent and well-functioning Copyright Board with the capacity to carry out the vital service it exists to perform."

Veronica Syrtash, Vice-President, Legal and Business Affairs, of the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency, said, "It is of the utmost importance to the rights holders we represent that the Copyright Board of Canada renders its decisions in a thorough and timely manner, and has the proper resources necessary to review the many tariff applications on new technologies."

About CMPA:
The Canadian Music Publishers Association is the oldest music industry association in Canada (founded in 1949). We create global business opportunities for our members and promote their interests and those of their song writing partners through advocacy, communication, and education.

About CMRRA:
Founded in 1975, the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. is a music licensing collective representing music rights holders who range in size from large multinational music publishers to individual songwriters. They own or administer the vast majority of songs recorded, sold and broadcast in Canada. On their behalf, CMRRA issues licenses to individuals or organizations for the reproduction of songs on various media including: streaming services, physical products, satellite and terrestrial broadcast mechanicals and more.

SOURCE Canadian Music Publishers Association

Kate Horodnyk, Communications & Social Media Specialist, Canadian Music Publishers Association (CMPA), 320 - 56 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 2S3, Phone: [phone] ext. 310, Email: [email protected]; Lydia Couture-Comtois, Executive Assistant, Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA), 320 - 56 Wellesley Street West, Toronto, ON M5S 2S3, Phone: [phone] ext. 228, Email: [email protected]