say they are missing out on millions of dollars in royalties when their music is played in films, on streaming platforms or on TV, and they want the government to adjust the copyright rules in the forthcoming budgetThey say Canada is out of step with countries such as Britain, France and Japan by not allowing singers and musicians to receive performance royalties from TV or film, even if their music becomes the theme tune to a hit show, movie or major ad campaign.
Performers, including band members, gain a slice of royalties if their music is used on radio, but not on TV or in film. The rules give royalties to the writers and publishers of the music, but not to everyone playing on a track, or to bands or singers covering a song played on TV or in a film. A change would enable Canadian artists to claim performers’ royalties if TV shows and films – such as– are rescreened.
Lou Ragagnin, president and chief executive officer, said “France and Germany and the Netherlands and Sweden and Japan have a massive music ecosystem that pays their rights holders fairly. So, we’re not really reinventing the wheel here. We’re just trying to level the playing field for artists in Canada.”