Canadian plan to legalise file-sharing

A revolutionary plan that would effectively legitimize file-sharing here has been slammed as "a pipe dream" by Canadian labels.

The Songwriters Association of Canada proposes to allow domestic consumers access to all recorded music available online in return for adding a $C5 ($NZ6.54) monthly fee to every wireless and Internet account in the country.

The SAC claims that the proposal, which has been presented to labels' bodies the Canadian Record Industry Association (CRIA) and Canadian Independent Record Production Association as well as publishers' groups, would raise approximately $C1 billion annually.

Although the SAC does not detail how revenue would be collected and distributed, it says it would go to artists, labels and publishers.

The idea doesn't strike a chord with everyone. The SAC proposal "would signal the death of paid music services in Canada," said Alistair Mitchell, CEO of Canadian music service Puretracks.

"It would be saying we're just giving up on developing new models. The concept is so flawed, I don't know where to start."

"This proposal is incredibly well thought out and well constructed," acting SAC president Eddie Schwartz said.

Producer/songwriter Schwartz, whose songs have been performed by Joe Cocker, Pat Benatar and Donna Summer, says the scheme would "allow people to gain access to the entire repertoire of Western music" for only $C60 per year.

That, he added, "amounts to $C0.16 ($NZ0.21) per day. (Which) seems like a pretty good deal." Schwartz said it's unlikely that users with both a wireless phone and an Internet account would have to pay twice for access.

MANY HURDLES TO CLEAR

The Canadian Wireless Telecommunications Association estimates that Canada had 18.5 million wireless phone users and 7 million residential Internet users at the end of 2006.

Cont'd & Source: Stuff.co.nz