A Small Victory for Canadian Commerical Radio

cab-logoThe Canadian Association of Broadcasters (CAB) still exists, which may come as a surprise to some in the broadcasting industry. While a much smaller group with a lower profile, they have been working away behind the scenes on a number of issues on behalf of broadcasters in Canada.  One of these issues relates to tariffs. In fact for the last three years, the CAB has been actively lobbying to have the Minister of Industry issue a statement limiting liability under the existing Re:Sound tariffs that commercial radio broadcasters pay.

On July 30, 2014 the Ministerial Statement was issued. The Ministerial Statement prevents the increase to the Re:Sound Commercial Radio Tariff 1.A that would have resulted from implementation of the WIPO Performances and Phonograms Treaty, which came into force for Canada on August 14, 2014.

So the CAB got exactly what they were asking for which is no increase in these fees for commercial radio stations.

However this new treaty will have other impacts on the performance royalties associated with other uses of music including the online activities of radio broadcasters such as simulcasting or webcasting. It may be sometime before we know these details.

Congratulations to Gabriel van Loon and the other staff at the CAB who have fought this long and protracted fight. For once it seems that  common sense seems has prevailed.

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