CAB ATTACKS COPYRIGHT BILL
By Adnews Staff
Anti-competitive Bill C-32 will cost radio and TV industry jobs, jeopardize small stations, hurt local service and threaten the industry's ability to convert to digital, according to the Canadian Association of Broadcasters. The bill denies two crucial rights to broadcasters. One is a time-shifting exemption and the other is a transfer-of-format right. Without the time-shifting exemption, broadcasters could be fined for airing replays or delaying live broadcasts to accommodate Canada's six time zones. "Scheduling across Canada would largely be dictated by viewing habits in Central Canada," CAB president Michael McCabe says in a release. A transfer-of-format right would recognize that vinyl records and 8-track tapes aren't used on air anymore. Without this flexibility, stations face fines for everyday practices such as downloading programs from satellite to tape, or transferring CDs onto studio equipment. The bill would also require stations to pay new music fees to artists and recording companies. Private radio already pays 3.2% of its revenues for music rights.