Canadian Recording Industry Faces $60 Billion Copyright Infringement Lawsuit

“If the dollars don’t shock, the target of the lawsuit
undoubtedly will: The defendants in the case are Warner Music
Canada, Sony BMG Music Canada, EMI Music Canada, and Universal
Music Canada, the four primary members of the Canadian Recording
Industry Association.

“The CRIA members were hit with the lawsuit [PDF] in October
2008, after artists decided to turn to the courts following decades
of frustration with the rampant infringement (I am adviser to the
Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, which is
co-counsel, but have had no involvement in the case). The claims
arise from a longstanding practice of the recording industry in
Canada, described in the lawsuit as “exploit now, pay later if at
all.” It involves the use of works that are often included in
compilation CDs (ie. the top dance tracks of 2009) or live
recordings. The record labels create, press, distribute, and sell
the CDs, but do not obtain the necessary copyright licences.”

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