OTTAWA, CA (CelebrityAccess) – According to Digital Music News, the Canadian music industry would like to see lawmakers implement a hefty ‘copying tax’ on all smartphones sold in the country.
Given that smartphones have the ability to hold music copied by consumers, the initiative, which is being spearheaded by The Canadian Private Copying Collective (CPCC) and was first pitched to lawmakers last September, outlines a plan that would see the Canadian federal government charging consumers a $3.50 ($2.69 in the US) tax.
Representatives from the three majors – Universal Music Canada, Warner Music Canada, and Sony Music Entertainment Canada – in addition to other labels have also stepped forward to urge the Canadian government to pay what would amount to $40 million in fees over the course of the next four years.
Oh, and if approved, the CPCC would stand to make a cool $160 million CND.
The collective has already successfully lobbied for a blank CD tax aimed at “potential use in private copying of music,” so this could be a very real possibility as well.
