Canadian Recording Industry: Works Entering the Public Domain Are Not in the Public Interest – Michael Geist

Buffy-Sainte-Marie-DSC_2407 by sidrguelph (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Who put the spin in spin doctor?  Not Buffy, that’s for sure.  Michael Geist is right on the mark, as usual.

rjb

On World Book and Copyright Day, it is worth noting how Graham Henderson, the President of Music Canada (formerly the Canadian Recording Industry Association) characterized the government’s decision to extend the term of copyright in sound recordings and performances:

“With each passing day, Canadian treasures like Universal Soldier by Buffy Sainte-Marie are lost to the public domain. This is not in the public interest.  It does not benefit the creator or their investors and it will have an adverse impact on the Canadian economy.”

This statement raises several issues. First, it should be noted that the song Universal Soldier by Buffy Sainte-Marie is not in the public domain nor will it be entering the public domain for decades. As the songwriter, Buffy Sainte-Marie still holds copyright in the song and will do so for her entire lifetime plus an additional 50 years.

Source: Canadian Recording Industry: Works Entering the Public Domain Are Not in the Public Interest – Michael Geist