I was reading this article in the Globe and Mail and was glad to see that Industry Minister Tony Clement is looking out for the real interests of Canadians, and not bowing to ridiculous industry demands, and politicians so often do.
Now, I’m not a big fan of the the current Conservative Government, and especially not a fan of Stephen Harper, but Clement is a grounded guy that I could support if he was in charge.
These taxes that they’ve been putting on CDs for way too long now are a hindrance to business in Canada, and really don’t do much good for many artists. Speaking as a member of SOCAN myself, I do not want to see a tax on my iPod or mobile phone. I have never illegally downloaded music, and have spent tens of thousands on music over the years, but yet whenever I buy blank media, I pay a tax equivalent to 75% or the price of the CDs (that I only use for data by the way) that supposedly goes to help the artists.
However, the distribution model is seriously flawed, and realistically the money end up going into the pockets of the artists with the most radio airplay. So in fact that extra money you pay ends up going into Chad Kroeger’s pocket so that he can hire more of those high-priced hookers he sings about or so that Celine Dion can get another swimming pool. Personally, I don’t think they need or deserve it, and I’m pretty sure that they’re not the ones who are missing out from illegal downloads anyhow, their album sales are pretty high.
If artists want to make money, why not do it the Grateful Dead way – by touring. I don’t condone illegal music downloads in any way, shape, or form, but it’s become a reality this day in age, so work with it. If people are going to do it, then use it to your advantage. It is serving to get your music out there. So capitalize on it, and tour. The more people are exposed to your music, the more that come to the show. So instead, my philosophy would be one like Trent Reznor’s, give away the music and get people to the shows. Sell them shirts, and hats, and whatever other junk they’ll consume. Play their game. Don’t try to recoup the money by punishing people who are legally listening to music.
Anyhow, that’s just my 2 cents.
Jamie C
Good post. The slippery slope gets steeper when you factor in legal, digital music purchases.
Mike G
Good point, something I didn’t really mention. If we pay tax on our iPods, then we’re double-paying the artists. Once for the legal download, and another time for the device that we need to listen to that music on. If we’re to pay a levy on iPods, than we should not have to pay the royalties on the digital downloads themselves.
Jamie C
By the way, I enjoy it when I get smiling triangle as my avatar. That googly-eyed bastard.
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