Howard Knopf notes the brewing fight between the League of Canadian Poets and Access Copyright over the copyright collective's allocation policies. While the report notes the public criticism, it misses a letter to Industry Canada and Canadian Heritage which may have far larger implications. In a letter dated September 22, 2008, the League says that it is "calling for a formal, public, government audit, annual review and effectiveness audit of Access Copyright." It adds that it is their "understanding that there are staff members at Industry who are going to look at 'collectives' in the next phase of Copyright Act reforms. Please look at Access Copyright first." Earlier this year, I blogged about an independent report of Access Copyright governance.
League of Canadian Poets Calls for Government Audit of Access Copyright
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This has been dragging on for years. It’s driven by a small group of grumpy unsuccessful writers who complain they aren’t getting a fair share of Access Copyright money. But does anyone seriously think that Canadian poets are up there when you analyze copying in government offices, corporations and colleges? As it is, EVERY author who is a member gets a flat-rate handout of several hundred dollars a year, which is several hundred more than almost all of them deserve, and which comes from the money that should rightly be going to the people whose work is in fact being used. This fuss is a diversion, it’s politically driven and you do this blog no favours by suggesting it’s valid
Still needs to be fair
Regardless of how grumpy the initiators are, Access Copyright should still be transparent in the way it conducts its business, especially since it is a quasi-govenmental institution that writers and publishers are obliged to deal with.
PIE IN THE FACE
agreed wiht the top poster, if they cant make money go work in alberta tim hortons i hear they pay 14-16$ a hour.
You’ll be better off then whining aobut 10$ some noob owes you.
AND DONT EXPECT US TO GIVE YOU GREEDY BASTARDS ANYMORE.
you think this lil copyright war is over cause your lil american buddies are in govt wait till they intro this bill and how this round comes. If actors and msucians cant understand then WE MUST MAKE THEM UNDERSTAND.
Transparency
I agree with IAB that access should be more transparent.