BS: Copyright tax on tape, cdr-w

Subject: Copyright tax on tape, cdr-w
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Mar 02 - 08:28 PM

I picked up a box of cassette tapes and found the price was up $3.00 because of the tax imposed to counter unlawful duplication of copyrighted material. This is in Canada. In the news today, it was announced a further increase in the levy was being considered.
Has a similar tax been imposed in the United States or British Isles?
The governmemt has said the tax will be used to compensate recording artists. I have no idea how they mean to do this and I doubt that they do either.
I was wondering what the reaction of Mudcatters is to this tax.

Subject: RE: BS: Copyright tax on tape, cdr-w
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 15 Mar 02 - 08:36 PM

Given the staggering low cost of most recording medium these days, a 3 buck increase ain't so bad...

Provided it does in fact find its way to the artists...

Subject: RE: BS: Copyright tax on tape, cdr-w
From: Bert
Date: 15 Mar 02 - 10:15 PM

I would write to the manufacturer, the store and the government and say "I'm a recording artist, where's my share?"

Subject: RE: BS: Copyright tax on tape, cdr-w
From: raredance
Date: 15 Mar 02 - 10:34 PM

It's a total cave-in to the big music companies. I doubt the Indies will get much of anything. And why should a "copy right" tax be placed on media that is used for data storage, multi-media meeting presentations, family photos etc. It's not in the US, yet, but it is kicking around congress. I was listening to a talk show on Winnipeg radio today and no one seemed to favor it. One caller described is as a way to transfer money from the little people to Celine Dion and Bryan Adams who both now have homes outside Canada.

rich r

Subject: RE: BS: Copyright tax on tape, cdr-w
From: mack/misophist
Date: 15 Mar 02 - 10:35 PM

Government comes out of the barrel of a gun. This generation, the gun seems to be pointed at the people. Besides, cd-r is probably the cheapest format.

Subject: RE: BS: Copyright tax on tape, cdr-w
From: Dicho (Frank Staplin)
Date: 15 Mar 02 - 11:06 PM

It seems to me that a large staff would be needed to properly apportion the cash. For the life of me, I can't think how it would be done. Give it to the musicians organization and let them handle it? Give it only to Canadian artists? Try to spread it internationally? How can you ever do it fairly? Rich r has a point; so far my only use of cd-rw is to store photographs and drawings. I will admit to using cassette tape to copy- much of it old lps that I want to preserve but I do copy some cds friends loan me.

I have a feeling that the money will end up staying in the government's hands as just another tax grab.