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Songwriters voice approval for $5 Internet fee |
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Written by Felix Da Silva (fdasilva@bitnip.com)
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Friday, 22 February 2008 |
 In an unsurprising but still insane move, the Songwriters Association of Canada wants to see every Canadian's monthly
Internet bill increase by $5 in exchange for the ability to download as many
"illegal" music files as they choose.
According to Canada.com, the association says its proposal, which would require federal approval, would
wipe out the need for music-selling services such as iTunes, making it legal for
one person to share a music CD with as many people as they wish.
Eddie Schwartz, president of
the Songwriters association said,
On iTunes to download one album, it's . This is half of that and this is pretty reasonable
to have access to the entire repertoire of western music. The organization will gathered in Toronto to demand an immediate amendment
to the Canadian Copyright Act to allow the songwriters to begin collecting fees
from Canadian Internet subscribers.
The proposed fees could see the songwriters association, a lobby group that
represents Canada's music composers and lyricists, collect between $500 million
and $900 million annually.
Is there anything else that needs to be said? Anyone with a sane mind would know that this is crazy. If this gets approved, the software industry will charge $5. After that, the movie industry and then whatever other industry that claims that the evil Internet is making them lose money.
This is not a solution to piracy. This is madness. I'm at a loss for words.
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