Retail Council of Canada applauds Copyright Act exemption on memory cards

TORONTO, July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Retail Council of Canada (RCC) commends the federal government for its decision to exempt microSD cards -- very small, removable memory cards used in countless electronic devices  -- from the Copyright Act.

Industry Minister Christian Paradis announced today that the federal government intends to introduce targeted regulations that will explicitly exclude microSD memory cards from the definition of an "audio recording medium" in the Copyright Act.

"Minister Paradis' decision will avoid a new and illogical "tax" on electronic memory cards used in a wide range of electronic equipment, will save Canadians money and help keep retail prices more competitive in Canada," said Diane J. Brisebois, President and CEO, RCC. "Imagine buying a digital camera only to discover that you are paying an extra hidden "tax" targeted at downloading and playing music. This is what the government has very wisely avoided."

In 2011, the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) asked the Copyright Board to impose a tariff in the form of a "levy" on electronic memory cards. The intention was to collect levies on "the sale of blank audio recording media." However, microSD cards are overwhelmingly used in countless other devices that have nothing to do with music, such as digital cameras, video recorders, GPS devices and industrial barcode scanners.

"We thank the federal government for protecting Canadians from an unreasonable tariff imposed on these cards," said Brisebois. "This action is consistent with the government's approach to the digital economy and will protect consumers from paying a ridiculous tax."

Retail Council of Canada (www.retailcouncil.org) is the Voice of Retail. Founded in 1963, RCC is a not-for-profit association which represents more than 45,000 stores of all retail formats, including department, grocery, independent merchants, regional and national specialty chains, and online merchants.

Sally Ritchie
VP Communications and Marketing, RCC
416 922-0553 ext. 228
1 888-373-8245
416 574-2552 (Mobile)
[email protected]