False Advertising: CRIA Becomes 'Music Canada,' Even Though It's Not

from the it's-not-about-the-music dept

Thu, Jul 14th 2011 1:14am — Mike Masnick

TorrentFreak points out that the much maligned Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) has apparently decided to change its name to Music Canada. I'm wondering if that's false advertising. The group represents the big record labels, not music. In fact, many of its policies are anti-musician. Of course, there are others who have pointed out that the "Canadian" bit of their name has been false advertising as well, since the group basically takes orders from the RIAA. So, if you have an organization that isn't really run by Canadian interests, and who doesn't represent music -- but a small group of middlemen who profit from screwing over musicians -- is it really fair to call yourself Music Canada?

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Filed Under: canada, recording industry
Companies: cria, music canada

42 Comments

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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 2:05am

They should have gone further, change the name to "Hardup Artist Canada" then put a :( by it. You see this is the damage you are doing, shame on you ;D
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freak (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 2:08am

IF, during most of an organizations life, it only manages to make a profit margin by screwing its customers, is it really fair to call itself Air Canada?

Yeah, there's kind a history of not trusting companies with 'Canada' in the name.
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Andrew (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 2:46am

Maybe this site should rebrand itself too? You could have a tagline like

"Supporting Big Content through the Big Issues"

"Stronger IP laws. Stronger America."
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 2:57am

Re:
Yeah, stupid Canada Post.
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Richard (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 2:59am

Blake's 7
Anyone remeber Blake's 7? For most of the episodes there were 5 of them, none of whom was called Blake!
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JayTee (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 3:12am

A classic case of misdirection
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btrussell (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 3:36am

There was another change as well.
We now have two mpac's
http://excesscopyright.blogspot.com/2011/07/cmpda-rebrands-to-motion-picture.html
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mike allen (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 3:39am

perhaps instead of music Canada they could call themselves puppets Canada, no need to say who pulls the strings.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 3:45am

In fact, many of its policies are anti-musician.

haha, so are many of yours, you ridiculous asshat,
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martyburns (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 4:22am

Re:
[citation needed]
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 4:23am

Truth in naming
Well, if something has to be called what it really means, then at least half of all the laws passed here in the US should be renamed as well.
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Ben (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 4:45am

I guess Anti-musician Non-Canadians just doesn't have the same ring to it.
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drewmerc (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 4:57am

sorry this still does not beat the canada dry, captain america promotion
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The eejit (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:07am

Re:
Like the quasi-emotional life+70 OR 95 years? That's clearly a sensible option.

Or like forcing other nation's companies and judicial systems to police YOUR content. That's clearly another completely rational way of looking at things.

Or claiming losses half the size of your national debt each year, with no non-biased evidence.
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Nicedoggy, 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:26am

That also happens in the USA since most big acts are from Europe and pay taxes in Europe and most big labels are not American business but from Europe and yet you get the RIAA that is supposed to be representing American interests not European.

And it always amuses me to see the RIAA say it creates jobs in America LoL
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Nicedoggy, 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:29am

Anyone ever wondered how an Irish dude was able to make Americans extend copyrights?

The Bono Act was not an American act was it?
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abc gum, 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:37am

Re:
"haha, so are many of yours, you ridiculous asshat,"

I was unaware that TD had any policies, where do I find these?
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:39am

Response to: Nicedoggy on Jul 14th, 2011 @ 5:29am
If you're joking... Awesome! I just laughed a bunch. If not (and clarification for anyone else): Sonny Bono (of Sonny and Cher fame) sponsored this bill. U2's Bono has the band manager speaking out about copyright maximalism (whether he asks him to or not).
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Nicedoggy, 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:59am

Re: Response to: Nicedoggy on Jul 14th, 2011 @ 5:29am
Shoot! I was sure it was Bono and not Sonny Bono, the responsible for that mess...aham!...bill.
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shawnhcorey (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:07am

Not Surprising
The record labels are trying to pass legislation to get a world-wide monopoly on the music industry. This is just another red herring, to convince politicians that they represent the best interests of musicians and the general public even though they are required by law to maximize their profits. But, of course, only a communist terrorist would think that they put their profits before the interests of others.
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Mr. LemurBoy (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:07am

Re:
At least the RIAA hasn't started calling itself Music 'Merica yet
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ClarkeyBalboa (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:14am

Come on Mike, you should know by now that PR + Truth can be a dangerously volatile mix.
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freak (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:23am

Re: Re:
"Let's lock our employees out, then a week later, legislate them back to work only on what they already had!"

(Protip: the employees were striking only to keep what they already had, and they wanted to keep working)

CBC, OTOH, is doing a good job of being CBC.
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Sean T Henry (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:39am

Re:
"Supporting Big Content through the Big Issues"

I really like that one.
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ChrisB (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:48am

Re: Re: Re:
> "Let's lock our employees out, then a week later, legislate
> them back only on what they already had!"

*Canada Post* locked out its employees and the *Canadian government* legislated them back to work. They are not the same thing.

Oh, and they legislated back for _less_ than Canada Post was willing to pay. In my opinion, this was a perfect time to union-bust these lazy corrupt bums. Did you know it is cheaper for me to send something to the US than it is within Canada? Insane.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:54am

1984
Same old. Just as patriotic as the Patriot Act. And remember restrictions are rights (DRM)

War Is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is strength. All from the Masters of Protecting (stealing).
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crade (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 7:12am

Wonder how long that will last before enough people figure out that "Music Canada" is that evil lobby group and they have to change their name again to avoid being recognized.
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crade (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 7:15am

Re: Response to: Nicedoggy on Jul 14th, 2011 @ 5:29am
He obviously does ask him to, otherwise he wouldn't be the band manager :) It's not like poor Bono is going to be stuck with a manager who takes positions he doesn't support. lol
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freak (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 7:22am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
They went back for less? I haven;t really looked into the news, but that wasn't my impression. *shrug*

As for the prices, consider that Canada is one of the least mail-active countries out there, and one of the most population sparse.

After you consider those two factors, the time and cost of shipping is much more acceptable.
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DV Henkel-Wallace (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 7:42am

Name should include "Enforcement"
We should refer to these companies as "Music Enforcement" or "Movie Enforcement" companies. Both highlights the ridiculousness of it as well as indicating clearly that they are shakedown crews of little value to anyone but themselves. But While calling them "Music Shakedown" could sound biased; Music Enforcement is simply normative!
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 8:17am

Music Canada is the new name of the organization that made it possible for nettwerk to exist and prosper. Funny who that minor fact gets ignored.
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crade (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 9:26am

Re:
Just because you have abusive parents doesn't mean you can't be a decent person.
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Vincent Clement (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 9:29am

Re: Re: Re: Re:
The same *Canadian government* that owns *Canada Post*? Pay and benefits have not been legislated. The legislation included the government's offer and CUPWs offer. It's up to an arbitrator to choose which offer applies.

Did you realize that US has 10 times the population and that it is easier to spread costs over that larger population? Did you also realize that the USPS is losing lots of money each year? Maybe if they raised their rates they wouldn't lose money?
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 10:20am

Re:
I don't see why you support the CRIA. After all, they pirated and sold 300,000 works. I thought you were supposed to hate that.
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MM_Dandy, 14 Jul 2011 @ 11:25am

But what about the non-musical recorded performances? Will somebody please think of the poor Canadian stand-up comics?
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ltlw0lf (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 2:28pm

Re: Name should include "Enforcement"
We should refer to these companies as "Music Enforcement" or "Movie Enforcement" companies.

I prefer "Copyright Enforcement". They aren't enforcing music, just enforcing copyright.
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Hephaestus (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 3:38pm

Re:
Funny thing. Changes like this are often used by hackers and the like. The amount of changes that are needed often cause inadvertant security holes in computer systems.
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Hephaestus (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 3:44pm

Re:
Funny thing. Changes like this often cause huge holes in both business and computer security, they are often exploited by hackers and the like. The amount of changes that are needed often causes inadvertant security holes in computer systems. flaws in contact information, flaws in code, flaws in banking, flaws in email, etc.

So let them change their name as often as they like. It might turn out to be interesting.
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btrussell (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:04pm

Re:
If I "stole" 300 000 songs from artists, I am sure I could do a lot with that too!

Don't forget that "little" fact.
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Derek Kerton (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 5:44pm

RightNamen
" is it really fair to call yourself Music Canada?"

No! They should have gone with "Protect The Children Canada"

Anyone who doesn't like it needs to explain why they are in favor of child porn.
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Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:49pm

Re: Re:
No they didn't.

When you have to lie like this about something, you're admitting you've lost the argument.
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btrussell (profile), 15 Jul 2011 @ 2:38am

Re: Re: Re:
http://excesscopyright.blogspot.com/2011/02/45000000-chet-baker-estate-copyright.html
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