Canadian Music Creators Coalition created to advocate against lawsuits, DRM

As an alternative to the influential music industry lobby, musicians in Canada have joined together to form Canadian Music Creator's Coalition. Unlike the CRIA - the Canadian equivalent of the RIAA - the organization is based on some very different tenets.

They explain:

Until now, a group of multinational record labels has done most of the talking about what Canadian artists need out of copyright. Record companies and music publishers are not our enemies, but let's be clear: lobbyists for major labels are looking out for their shareholders, and seldom speak for Canadian artists. Legislative proposals that would facilitate lawsuits against our fans or increase the labels' control over the enjoyment of music are made not in our names, but on behalf of the labels' foreign parent companies.

The organization has come out strongly against lawsuits and DRM, both are tactics espoused by the powerful industry groups. In recent weeks, the US RIAA has sued a family without a computer and a 15-year old girl while threatening to sue a woman who had passed away over two years ago. A recent story had the organization recommending a college student drop out to pay her legal bills. The Music Creators described these tactics as "destructive and hypocritical."

The group boasts a diverse membership as well with Sum 41, Billy Talent, John K. Samson (Weakerthans), Broken Social Scene, Dave Bidini (Rheostatics), Stars and Sloan participating alongside mainstream acts like Barenaked Ladies, Avril Lavigne and Sarah McLachlan. Interestingly, most of the charter members of the organization are represented by Nettwerk Management which recently volunteered to help a girl being sued by the RIAA in the United States. Other Canadian musicians are being welcomed into the coalition and are encouraged to contact them via their website.