SOCAN was pleased to sign on to an open letter to federal lawmakers today, in which a coalition of like-minded organizations expressed desire to complete legislation that will see the term of copyright extended to the life of the copyright holder plus 70 years, under the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA).
The current law is only life plus 50 years, and Canada lags behind most nations, including the U.S., the U.K., and France. The letter was published as a full-page advocacy ad in The Hill Times, a leading publication followed closely by federal elected and appointed officials.
Adding 20 years to the life of copyright means a more robust creative sector, more Canadian cultural exports, and the growth of innovative businesses. The change will strengthen copyright, and help grow Canada’s music industry. We urge the government to enact term extension provisions so the tens of thousands of songwriters, composers, and music publishers we represent can continue making Canada globally competitive.
Other signatories to the letter were:
- L’Association des professionnels de l’édition musicale (APEM)
- The Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency (CMRRA)
- Music Publishers Canada
- The Screen Composers Guild of Canada (SCGC)
- La Société professionnelle des auteurs et des compositeurs du Québec (SPACQ)
The Songwriters Association of Canada (S.A.C.)