ACTRA Sides Against the Audience

ACTRA supports Jim Prentices anti-consumer copyright legislation and is angry over it's delay. As a long frequent supporter of Canadian film, television and theatre I can't help but feel that they ACTRA (who I don't believe speaks for all Canadian actors) is being short sighted and reactionary in this case. Hopefully their stance won't weaken public support for the Canadian industry.

"ACTRA called the protestors a vocal minority and said that further inaction by the government to reform the copyright laws will cause reduced investment and innovation, plus job losses in Canada's "already struggling industry.""

Fortunately the Canadian Music Creators Coalition which includes, amoung many others, the Barenaked Ladies, Sarah McLachlan, the Stars, Avril Lavigne, Feist, Sam Roberts, Sloan, Broken Social Scene, Alexisonfire, Billy Talent, Bob Wiseman, Sum 41, the New Pornographers, Chantal Kreviazuk, Matthew Good, Metric, Randy Bachman, Volcanoless in Canada and many, many others is still on the side of fans and of artists who want to control their own future.

Until now, a group of multinational record labels has done most of the talking about what Canadian artists need out of copyright. Record companies and music publishers are not our enemies, but let's be clear: lobbyists for major labels are looking out for their shareholders, and seldom speak for Canadian artists. Legislative proposals that would facilitate lawsuits against our fans or increase the labels' control over the enjoyment of music are made not in our names, but on behalf of the labels' foreign parent companies.

By the way, if you're a musician and would like to add yourself or your band to the CMCC's list just send them an email.