This new move to set royalties for internet music streaming and sound recordings is a small but fundamental step that secures copyright holders. Toronto lawyer and partner of Brauti Thorning Zibarras LLP Mark McMackin says: “In my view, we are starting to win the war, and when I say we, I mean right holders- artists, musicians and even authors- and I think it really makes a big difference”.
The firm has represented a production company named Voltage Pictures LLC in a case that orders the ISP TeckSavvy Solutions to issue the names and addresses of suspected illegal downloaders. Voltage Pictures is representing films among which Oscar winning films, such as The Hurt Locker and Dallas Buyers Club could be found. Both these films were greatly affected by illegal downloads in box office.
The board set royalties payable by CBC and webcasters. The rate for commercial webcaster was 10.2 per 1000 plays and for large streaming services the royalties payout will be about $7000. For CBC this rate was 13.1 cents per 1000 plays and for non-commercial use it was $25 per year.
MacMackin says: “This makes it concrete that there is a fall back to artists” he also says: I am sure what they are trying to do is not hammer people to begin with and put companies out of business. I think that number can only get better as people become more accountable to paying for these services. Artists may not be completely happy about the rates right now, but it is a start”.
MaMackin further says that this resembles to putting tax on somebody so don’t want to make them close the doors… it keeps things accountable so it is very positive. He also says: “it is gone sort of unchecked. The government is basically playing catch up, and they are doing something that gives artists a boot in the door, which may not be a massive win but it is a little with win”.