Ottawa. Following the recently concluded public review of the current private
copying levies, the Copyright Board announced today that it is setting new levies on blank
audio recording media. Effective January 1, 2001, private copying levies will increase to
29˘ on audio cassette tapes of 40 minutes or longer (remaining zero for tapes of shorter
length), 21˘ on CD-Rs and CD-RWs and 77˘ on CD-R Audio, CD-RW Audio and MiniDiscs.
Manufacturers and importers of blank audio recording media are required to pay these
levies to the Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) when these media are sold in
Canada.
The current private copying levies, which remain in effect until the end of this year,
are 23.3˘ on audio cassette tapes of 40 minutes or longer, 5.2˘ on CD-Rs and CD-RWs and
60.8˘ on CD-R Audio, CD-RW Audio and MiniDiscs.
The Copyright Board conducted an extensive public proceeding to set private copying
levies for the years 2001 and 2002. While initiated in March of this year, the public
hearings phase of the proceeding was concluded only a few weeks ago. To allow the new
levies to be implemented by January 1, 2001, the Copyright Board is announcing today its
decision regarding the level of the new levies.
Claude Majeau, Secretary General to the Board, noted that: "The Board took into
consideration the comprehensive body of evidence brought forward by participants to the
proceeding in setting the new levies. The increases in the levies reflect, among other
things, the significant changes in private copying behaviour since last year, especially
the increased usage of digital media, such as CD-Rs, for copying pre-recorded music".
Mr. Majeau added, however, that "a detailed rationale for the rates will be provided
in the Board's decision which will be issued early in the New Year".
Based on evidence presented at the public hearings, the levies are projected to raise
approximately $27 million in 2001 and $32 million in 2002. These funds will be distributed
by the CPCC to eligible authors, performers and makers of recorded musical works copied
for personal use in Canada.
For more information, contact:
Mr. Claude Majeau
Secretary General
Copyright Board of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario
Tel: (613) 952-8621
Fax: (613) 952-8630
E-mail: majeauc@smtp.gc.ca
