The evolution of the Internet has resulted in the proliferation of music downloading and file sharing. The ability to share music files and create compact discs containing copyrighted material has in turn left the music industry searching for answers to this dilemma. One possible alternative involves litigation against those who infringe on copyrighted material. Other possibilities include the creation of new business models for the distribution of music and other content as a response to these technical advancements. This panel discussion will highlight the challenges presented to the music industry and potential solutions from the perspective of the consumer, recording artist, and legal professional. The legal and economic ramifications of music downloading will also be discussed in order to provide the audience with the foundation of the current law and an insight into how the law will change.

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Postscript:

11/09/04 - by Telly Lebedev

Windsor law students and guests from around campus gathered to hear a number of eminent experts discuss the impact music downloading and file sharing have on Copyright Law reform in Canada. It was plainly evident that this debate is proceeding without consensus on some fundamental facts namely: who, if anyone, is really suffering under the current copyright regime?

There was talk based on figures cited by the Canadian recording industry's legal representative, Richard Pfohl. Toronto DJ personality, Alan Cross, also related anecdotal information about some music groups being culled because of an inability of the industry to support up and coming new acts, but the fact is we just don't know. More research on the economic and business effects of music downloading is required before any conclusions can be made. This sort of inquiry quickly takes us out of the purview of legal studies. An interdisciplinary approach is required. Hello Business and Communications students?

The evening ended with a challenge by Dr. Geist to all of the attendees: Learn the facts. Get involved.

As with any policy development, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the oil. If it seems that government is listening more carefully to one side, and that is certainly one conclusion that can be drawn from the Heritage Committee report, and that consumers and users remain a silent amorphous mass, well, then we're going to get the Copyright Law we deserve.

These pages aren't set up for blogging but if anyone else who attended yesterday's event would like to add a comment, please email me and I'll post it.

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Featured Panelists included:

Mario Bouchard
General counsel for the Copyright Board of Canada

Alan Cross
Host of 102.1 FM's "Ongoing History of New Music"

Michael A. Geist
Professor of law at the University of Ottawa and founding member of the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic (CIPPIC)

Richard Pfohl
General counsel for the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) and adjunct professor of law at the University of Toronto

Bruce Stockfish
Director General, Copyright Policy Branch at Canadian Heritage

Moderator:

Myra J. Tawfik
Professor of law at the University of Windsor