With CD sales slipping and perhaps encouraged by the network television writers wanting their fair share of the Internet pie, the Songwriters Association of Canada also want fair compensation off the World Wide Web. In addition, the songwriter’s association wants the music and lyrics to be free to download for fans.

So, who will pay the bill? In this fearless free-for-all of a file-sharing debate, the Canadian songwriters are bucking the desires of the Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) and asking the internet service providers (ISPs) to fill the bill.

This resolution puts songwriters and fans on the same free music team. The ISPs or websites that offer the free downloads will have to pony up some cash, though, as the free ride for them is about to come to an end.

It’s good to see the Canadian songwriters coming up with a reasonable solution, rather than going the route of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), which is handing out lawsuits left and right to consumers like ill-tasting bubble gum. With any luck, a little bit of this reasonableness will rub off on the powers that be south of the Great White border.

Filed under: Industry