December 15, 2000
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 K1A 0C9
Tel: (613) 952-8621
Fax: (613) 952-8630
E-mail: majeau.claude@cb-cda.gc.ca
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