The copyright lobby frequently characterizes the use of DRM and anti-circumvention legislation as benefiting creators. Contrary to the rhetoric, however, a growing number of creators actively oppose DRM and the prospect of anti-circumvention legislation. The Canadian Music Creators Coalition justifiably generated enormous attention last spring when dozens of Canada's leading musicians came together to form a new coalition opposed to suing fans, using DRM, or establishing anti-circumvention legislation. The Appropriation Art coalition, launched soon afterward, may have less noteriety but they combine to form a powerful voice. Consisting of more than 600 artists, curators, directors, educators, writers, associations and organizations from the art sector, the coalition features artists that have collectively won dozens of major awards including eight Governor General Awards in Visual and Media Arts.
Despite these credentials, the group incredibly received little more than a form letter from Bev Oda, the Minister of Canadian Heritage. Perhaps that is because the Appropriation Arts coalition tells a much different story from the copyright lobby.
