TORONTO, March 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Gilles Daigle, one of the foremost experts on copyright law, has joined SOCAN - the Society of Composers, Authors & Music Publishers of Canada - as General Counsel, Head of Legal Services.
Throughout his career, Daigle has helped to guide SOCAN's work to protect, promote and fight for the rights of Canada's music creators and publishers, having worked for more than 23 years as SOCAN's external legal counsel at Gowling Lafleur Henderson LLP. During that time he has represented SOCAN in numerous legal proceedings before the Copyright Board of Canada and the Courts.
Daigle succeeds Paul Spurgeon, who retired after many years of stellar and often groundbreaking service to Canadian creators and music publishers. With Daigle SOCAN will continue to be a leader in the Canadian and global digital music arena.
"Gilles Daigle joining SOCAN is a major plus for Canadian songwriters and music publishers," said SOCAN CEO Eric Baptiste. "He will be a key player in SOCAN's plans to be a global trailblazer on behalf of our rights-owners in the increasingly digital, mobile, borderless and innovative world of music consumption."
"With SOCAN I will continue to raise the bar for music rights and work to bring even more value to what the organization does for its members and licensees," Daigle said. "Working so closely with SOCAN for so many years means that becoming an employee will be seamless. I arrive at SOCAN at a time when the rights of music creators, more than ever, must be protected and furthered."
While at Gowlings, Daigle was twice honoured by Managing Intellectual Property magazine as lead partner in two copyright cases involving SOCAN. He is a frequent speaker at copyright law events and a regular guest lecturer at the University of Ottawa's Faculty of Law.
About SOCAN
SOCAN is a not-for-profit, member-based organization that represents the Canadian performing rights of more than three-million Canadian and international music creators and publishers. SOCAN is proud to play a leading role in supporting the long-term success of its more than 110,000 Canadian members, and the Canadian music industry overall. SOCAN collects license fees from more than 125,000 businesses in Canada, and distributes royalties to its members and music rights organizations around the world. SOCAN also distributes royalties to its members for the use of their music internationally in collaboration with its peer societies. www.socan.ca
SOURCE: SOCAN
Media Contacts: Michael Critchley, 416.445.8700, ext. 3784, [email protected]; Janine Raftopoulos, 416-445-8700, ext. 3702, [email protected]
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