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

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

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


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  1. identicon
    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

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. icon
    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."

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 14 Jul 2011 @ 2:57am

    Re:

    Yeah, stupid Canada Post.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. icon
    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!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. icon
    JayTee (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 3:12am

    A classic case of misdirection

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. icon
    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

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    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,

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. icon
    martyburns (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 4:22am

    Re:

    [citation needed]

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. icon
    Ben (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 4:45am

    I guess Anti-musician Non-Canadians just doesn't have the same ring to it.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  13. icon
    drewmerc (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 4:57am

    sorry this still does not beat the canada dry, captain america promotion

    link to this | view in thread ]

  14. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  15. identicon
    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

    link to this | view in thread ]

  16. identicon
    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?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  17. identicon
    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?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  18. identicon
    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).

    link to this | view in thread ]

  19. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  20. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  21. icon
    Mr. LemurBoy (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:07am

    Re:

    At least the RIAA hasn't started calling itself Music 'Merica yet

    link to this | view in thread ]

  22. icon
    ClarkeyBalboa (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:14am

    Come on Mike, you should know by now that PR + Truth can be a dangerously volatile mix.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  23. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  24. icon
    Sean T Henry (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 6:39am

    Re:

    "Supporting Big Content through the Big Issues"

    I really like that one.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  25. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  26. identicon
    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).

    link to this | view in thread ]

  27. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  28. icon
    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

    link to this | view in thread ]

  29. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  30. icon
    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!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  31. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  32. icon
    crade (profile), 14 Jul 2011 @ 9:26am

    Re:

    Just because you have abusive parents doesn't mean you can't be a decent person.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  33. icon
    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?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  34. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  35. identicon
    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?

    link to this | view in thread ]

  36. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  37. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  38. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  39. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  40. icon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  41. identicon
    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.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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