MARCH 2007
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COPYRIGHT - Access Copyright Receives Full Restitution in Fraud Case March 14, 2007 The Ontario Superior Court has ruled in the case against two individuals who were charged earlier this year with defrauding Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency. In its judgment the Court ruled that restitution be made to Access Copyright for the full amount of the fraud that was committed. Access Copyright received this repayment within hours of the ruling. The suspected fraudulent activities were uncovered in 2005 by Access Copyright staff, and the police were contacted after a thorough internal review had been conducted. In May of 2006, following further investigation by the police, criminal charges were laid against a former employee and an individual not connected with Access Copyright. In determining that Access Copyright would receive full repayment, the Court noted the excellent work of Access Copyright's staff in investigating and compiling the evidence related to this case We are very pleased with this ruling and with the fact that the $61,000 that has been repaid can be returned to its rightful place in the repertoire pool and, from there, into the pockets of the affiliates to whom it belongs. We are also pleased with the response of our affiliates, who have helped us implement rigorous new procedures to help ensure this never happens again. In the plea bargain made by the Crown and the defendants in the case, the charges against the former employee were withdrawn in exchange for the full restitution of the defrauded amount. The other individual involved in the case received a sentence of three months house arrest and an eight month conditional sentence that will lead to a jail term of eight months if the individual does not abide by all of the conditions of the judgment.
BOOKS - Independent Publisher Book Awards -- for info visit Independent Authors and Publishers - IPPY Awards
INTERNET & COPYRIGHT - Viacom sues YouTube for $1 billion: Suit accuses Google of 'massive copyright infringement' of Viacom's entertainment assets. March 13 2007 (Reuters) -- Media conglomerate Viacom Inc. said Tuesday that it was suing Google Inc. and its Internet video-sharing site YouTube for more than $1 billion over unauthorized use of its programming online. The lawsuit, the biggest challenge to date to Google's ambitions to make YouTube into a major vehicle for advertising and entertainment, accuses the Web search leader and its unit of "massive intentional copyright infringement." Viacom filed the suit with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking more than $1 billion in damages and an injunction against further violations. Viacom contends that almost 160,000 unauthorized clips of its programming have been uploaded onto YouTube's site and viewed more than 1.5 billion times. "YouTube's strategy has been to avoid taking proactive steps to curtail the infringement on its site," Viacom said in a statement. "Their business model, which is based on building traffic and selling advertising off of unlicensed content, is clearly illegal and is in obvious conflict with copyright laws." Viacom said its decision to sue Google followed "a great deal of unproductive negotiation" with the company
MUSIC & TRADEMARK - WHO OWNS THE NAME BLACK SABBATH 12mar2007 AP -- How do you promote a Black Sabbath tour when you're only allowed to mention the legendary Black Sabbath name in the fine print? Don't ask Ronnie James Dio, the singer for the current Sabbath tour because he's a bit foggy about the politics of the name game himself. When the pioneering heavy metal band touches down in Vancouver tomorrow at the Pacific Coliseum, they do so under the banner Heaven & Hell, which is the title of Sabbath's 10th album, released in 1980. That was the first Sabbath record in which Dio appeared as the lead singer, in place of the band's original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. So why is the recently reunited Dio-led lineup touring now under the Heaven & Hell moniker? Many fans have speculated Ozzy's wife and manager, the ever brassy Sharon Osbourne, is to blame. After all, Ozzy's version of Black Sabbath has been headlining his summer Ozzfest tours since 1997, and because of that the Osbournes may be laying claim to the name. "As far as Sharon being the perpetrator of that, I would certainly not like to think so," says Dio. "I don't like to think that my life is predicated on somebody else's whims who has nothing to do with me." But Dio's not sure who has ultimate control of the Sabbath name. "I have no idea," says the five-foot-four singer with the colossal voice. "That seems to have been a point of contention for a long time. Who owns the name? Is it Sharon? Is it Ozzy? Is it Tony Iommi (guitarist for both Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell)? I would think if Tony owned the name, we would be calling ourselves Black Sabbath, so maybe he doesn't." Given the recent Ozzfest tours, and the fact that Sabbath with Ozzy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, Iommi and the band's bassist Geezer Butler felt like they wanted to make the new tour distinct from the other incarnation of Sabbath. "They wanted to carry on with something fresh and new," Dio says. "When they proposed (the band name Heaven & Hell), my initial reaction was, and still is, 'Well they're gonna call us f---in' Black Sabbath anyway, aren't they? You can call as the Boys in the Shed if you want to. It doesn't matter to me."'
MUSIC - RIAA urges downloaders to turn themselves in by Owen Praskievicz U-Wire 08mar2007 COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Recording Industry Association of America has an idea for university students who illegally download music: Sign a letter admitting their mistakes, make a plea-bargain with the multi-million dollar industry, then pay them an out-of-court settlement. Then maybe -- just maybe -- the college student will be lucky enough to avoid a lawsuit. In a new plan targeting college students, the RIAA said last week that lawyers had sent out 400 settlement offers to students through 13 universities across the country demanding settlement money for illegally downloaded copyright material. And although no students at this university were selected in the first wave of letters, the strategy signals an audacious and unprecedented approach by the industry to crack down on college students that could soon envelop students at this university. "There isn't a college student in America today who doesn't know that the online 'sharing' of copyrighted music is illegal," said RIAA President Cary Sherman in a recorded online news conference with college newspapers. "Yet, file-trafficking on college campuses remains extensive and disproportionately problematic." Sherman said the letters don't target any specific universities -- only students identified as prolific file-sharers. Ohio University appeared to get the worst of the RIAA's ire this time around -- 50 students there were asked to visit RIAA website and pay thousands of dollars to settle threats of impending lawsuits. RIAA lawyers targeted the top 13 universities who have received the most cease and desist warnings -- "nastygrams," as some critics call them -- ordering universities to shut down file-sharing hubs and warn students to stop downloading copyright material, according to documents provided by the association. With more than 300 warnings received here, this university ranked 26th in the country for most warnings sent, and could be targeted in a second wave of warnings. Typical copyright law provides for statutory damages ranging from $750 to $150,000 per work infringed, and RIAA General Counsel Steven Marks said the latest effort will likely rope in a record-high number of students. "In the three years since we first filed suit against a university network user, we have sued about 1,000 students," Marks said. "Under this new program, we will initiate legal action against a similar number of students in just three months." Sherman said the RIAA will only send the letters to the university, which it hopes will transfer the letters to the students. At this university, officials have already taken significant steps to placate the RIAA, including revising network guidelines that effectively shut down file-sharing hub Direct Connect last semester, commonly known as DC++, if only temporarily. But Office of Information Technology officials said last semester they would not defend students sued by the RIAA because it would conflict with the university's policy against file sharing, which they said is consistent with the law. OIT officials did not return calls for comment on this story. Marks warned that unlike lawsuits three years ago, the RIAA no longer targets only the most "egregious infringers" who store and share thousands of copyright files. "Today we do not have any minimum amount of files in order to move forward with a lawsuit," Marks said. "Students should understand that they are not anonymous when they use P2P services." Blogs and other student sites have blasted the RIAA's new policy, calling it extortion and saying it will trick some students from seeking out more viable alternatives to the settlement. The university's Student Legal Aid Office could not be reached for comment, but in the past it has sait it can only refer students to an outside attorney. "Frankly, we've found that students know that downloading from unauthorized P2P systems is illegal, but the chance of getting caught isn't great enough to discourage them from doing it," Sherman said. "By increasing the number of lawsuits, we're letting them know that the risk of getting caught is greater. That's also why we're bringing more lawsuits on a single college campus."
MUSIC - Managers, Retailers Concerned Over Wave Of Layoffs by L.Leblanc Billboard 07mar2007 -- Canadian artist managers and retailers are anxiously waiting to see how EMI and Sony BMG's operations in the country shape up following hefty layoffs in February."It is horrific timing," says Halifax, Nova Scotia-based artist manager Sheri Jones, who handles pop/roots trio Shaye. EMI Canada released Shaye's sophomore album "Lake of Fire" Feb. 6. After the layoffs, Jones says, "I'm anxious to find out who we're working with."The culling began Feb. 19, when Sony BMG Music Canada laid off what sources say were between 35 and 40 employees. The following day's layoffs at EMI Music Canada saw 40-50 employees axed. Billboard understands EMI had around 105 staff prior to the layoffs, while Sony BMG had some 175.Sony BMG declined to comment; a New York-based EMI spokeswoman would only say the cuts are part of its current cost-saving global restructuring. Billboard has learned that EMI staff departing its Toronto headquarters included associated distributed labels director Doug Caldwell plus directors of marketing Andres Mendoza and Jane Tattersall. Eastern region sales director Val D'Amico in Montreal leaves April 5.According to sources close to the label, EMI is now in negotiations to sell its Mississauga, Ontario, headquarters where it has been since 1967. Staff will move to new quarters in midtown Toronto in March.The majority of EMI's layoffs were in manufacturing and distribution. Sources familiar with the situation confirm both operations have closed and that EMI is close to a manufacturing/distribution deal with Scarborough, Ontario-based Cinram International.Exiting Sony BMG staffers included VP of domestic marketing/international exploitation Dave Toomey, director of customer marketing Greg Pappas and joint head of A&R Jonathan Ramos.Sony BMG and EMI have also both shut down branch offices in Vancouver.Toronto-based Ivan Berry of IB Entertainment, which handles Sony BMG Canada R&B singer Keisha Chante, expresses considerable concern about the layoffs' effects. "If their new structure can bear a superstar like Keisha, fine," he says. "If it's not the right home for her, then we will move on. We don't have answers yet."Music merchants say they are giving Sony BMG and EMI product cautious backing for the moment. "Until it's proven their records are going to be properly marketed and promoted, I will be very hesitant about stepping up on product," says Tim Baker, buyer for 28-store Ontario chain Sunrise Records."Hopefully, they can support their releases," Handleman Entertainment Canada VP of purchasing Ken Kozey says. "But for now, [purchasing] is a title-by-title situation."Nettwerk Group CEO Terry McBride in Vancouver says the layoffs are not surprising. "Both held off doing this for a long time," he says. McBride's Nettwerk Records label has a pressing/distribution agreement with Sony BMG Canada, and he manages Sony BMG-signed vocalist Chantal Kreviazuk.McBride suggests that problems in developing the majors' digital businesses contributed to the layoffs. "They've hit a glass ceiling, digitally, because of their opposition to removing [digital rights management]," he claims. "If their digital sales had grown more, these layoffs would probably not have happened." CANADA MUSIC WEEK: A GLOBAL BOOST March 10, 2007 LARRY LEBLANC -- As president of Canadian Music Week (CMW), Neill Dixon plays a significant role in boosting Canada's international profile. Now in its 25th year, the annual four-day music conference and festival in Toronto opens March 7. "Canadian music is hot internationally, so it's easy convincing people they can do business here," Dixon says, noting that 25 U.K. companies and 10 from Japan will be among those represented. "What Neill and his team have accomplished in 25 years is staggering," Universal Music Canada CEO Randy Lennox says. "What began as a luncheon has evolved into featuring as many international performers and executives as any world-class event of its kind."CMW 2007 will offer an Executive Conference for industry leaders, a TuneUp Conference that targets musicians and entry-level business people, a trade show, four award shows and a music festival featuring more than 500 bands performing in 42 venues.On March 10, the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame will induct rock trio Triumph and producer/songwriter David Foster.The title sponsor for CMW 2007 is cell phone service provider Rogers Wireless, a sign of the increasing ties between the music industry and the mobile communication business. Another key sponsor is Sympatico/MSN, which is due to launch a new community networking site: indiscover.com.At CMW last year, speaker John Kennedy, chairman/CEO of the IFPI, described the transformation of the music business, as record companies embraced new technologies after a "hesitant start."This year, CMW will focus on the threats and opportunities new technologies pose. "Technology has refreshed our conference," Dixon says. "Each year there's something new to deal with."Among this year's keynote speakers are songwriter/producers Foster and Glen Ballard; Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman; Ted Cohen, managing partner of Tag Strategic and chairman of MEF Americas; music futurist Gerd Leonhard; Mathew Knowles, president/CEO of Music World Entertainment; and Big Jon Platt, executive VP/head of urban nationwide for EMI Music Publishing.Dixon recalls when music and radio executives attending CMW scorned the idea that digital technology would fundamentally transform the music industry. It was the message that Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman emeritus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, delivered to CMW attendees in 1993. He warned that if they were not in the digital business in 10 years they had better polish up their résumés.Dixon recalls, "Many were disbelievers, saying, 'This guy is nuts.' "Dixon came to Toronto in 1967 after graduating from Hammersmith College in London. He spent three years running Grumbles, a local coffee house. He has also worked in promotion at RCA Records Canada and GRT Records Canada. In the '80s, he co-managed Martha Reeves, Triumph and Long John Baldry, and co-owned Solid Gold Records with a roster of Triumph, the Good Brothers, Chilliwack and Toronto.CMW began in 1983 as the Record Music Industry Conference, launched by David Farrell and wife Patricia Dunn-Farrell, then co-publishers of the weekly Canadian music trade The Record.Dixon was hired to book speakers, organize panels and later attract sponsors."It was a very domestic event," he says. "It took place until the mid-'90s around the Juno Awards. It was impossible to get any publicity."When Dixon took over CMW in 1993, he changed its format, expanding and diversifying activities to attract representatives from related industries. "Then everything just grew," he says.Dixon has since been able to attract such music industry figures as George Martin, Clive Davis, Moby and Thomas Dolby as speakers. CANADA MUSIC WEEK: NORTH STARS March 10, 2007 As the Canadian music industry convenes in Toronto for the upcoming Canadian Music Week conference March 7-10, Billboard turned to industry leaders in various sectors for their views on issues facing the market. P We also invited these leaders to each identify a Canadian artist (in whom they do not have a business interest) that the international industry should watch in the year ahead.-Comments compiled by Larry LeBlanc, Robert Thompson and Ray Waddell.Terry McBride, CEONettwerk GroupIssue to watch: "The shrinking footprint of retail. CD sales are going down, and while people point to file sharing as a reason it is not just that. It is the availability of finding a CD. Most people who want to buy catalog today just hop online for it."But I don't think brick-and-mortar music retail is dead. A lot of brick-and-mortar stores, however, aren't just selling music anymore. So music is being consumed in the same way as picking up your groceries or your magazines."Specialty shops will still do well based on the persona of the people running them. But the majors playing the big-box game have put these specialty stores in a position where they can't afford knowledgeable staff."When you can buy a CD-first day of sale-at Wal-Mart, Target or a Best Buy cheaper than what you can get it [at wholesale] from the label, that's a problem."Canadian artist to watch: "I don't listen to music as coming from a particular country. [Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter] Colbie Caillat is an artist I really like. His music is earnest, it's real."Steve Kane, PresidentWarner Music CanadaIssue to watch: "Our digital market is being overserviced, but many [U.S.-based] services don't understand the intricacies of the Canadian marketplace. We are trying to get this new market established, and we are running into a brick wall attaining real estate featuring Canadians."We also have to understand that as we are living in a global market we have to not only get our artists listed but effectively use search engines and technology to our benefit."On the mobile front, we have to move beyond telling consumers they can speak to their mothers cheaper past 6 p.m. The mobile world is more dynamic than that. The Canadian mobile companies can hit all three screens-television, computer and cell phones. They are just starting to recognize the power of what they have. They have to now start marketing the content and their enhanced services."Canadian artist to watch: "One of my favorite records is 'Honey From the Tombs' by Amy Millan. It has that old country vibe with none of the clichés."Mike McCarty,PresidentEMI Music Publishing, CanadaIssue to watch: "The old value chain of the music industry has broken down. A new value chain is now being created. In some cases publishers don't have the legal right or the leverage to get their fair share of the wealth that is moving into the hands of others, such as [Internet service providers] or MP3 player manufacturers."If you look at the music chain as an ecosystem, what has happened is that new players have changed the environment, and the ecosystem that created the content for them is now under severe stress."They have a responsibility to replenish the ecosystem, if only for their own self interests. They are the new gatekeepers, and the funding of the promotion of music is now going to shift partly onto their shoulders. I would love to find a new gatekeeper to partner with us in the development of talent in a direct and strategic way. I can see that happening in the next few years."Artist to watch: "Justin Nozuka. He's an 18-year-old singer/songwriter handled by Coalition Entertainment Management in Toronto. He's a very powerful, soulful singer/songwriter."Isabelle Hemond,Director of MarketingPuretracksIssue to watch: Copyright issues and the problem of illegal downloading are still top of mind for many in the country, according to Hemond, whose company, Toronto-based Puretracks, is the first legal digital music site to launch in the country."There is no Canadian legislation in place to legislate against peer-to-peer [file sharing], and many still download illegally, especially young adults in the 18-24 demographic," she says.Similarly, interoperability issues among digital services are confusing Canadian music buyers and slowing the market."There are two popular digital music formats already in the market, and a third was just released. It is getting very confusing for consumers to buy a digital music player, since they don't understand why they can't have the freedom to choose the site they want to download music from."Artist to watch: Signed to Sub Pop, Wolf Parade caused a national stir in 2006 with comparisons to Canada's Arcade Fire. That should increase this year. "They demonstrated their talent, and although they are still below the commercial radar, Wolf Parade are gaining momentum with media and the public."Shane Bourbonnais,PresidentLive Nation CanadaIssue to watch: "Not overloading the market with big shows that all happen at the same time. Canada is hot right now, and it's handling a great volume of shows for a market of 30 million people."Most of these shows are selling lots of tickets. We need to make sure that these shows are spread out over 12 months. If they get bunched up into a short period of time you will see good shows not sell tickets, because there is a ceiling in Canada."CANADA MUSIC WEEK: TOURING SIZZLES March 10, 2007 The Canadian concert market has been sizzling for several years now, begging the questions of why it's so hot and how long the heat can last."The Canadian concert market has been very healthy, and a lot of economic factors are behind this," says Riley O'Connor, senior VP for Live Nation in Toronto."The country has grown up, the population has expanded, demographics have broadened," O'Connor continues. "We didn't just wake up one day and embrace music."William Morris Agency agent David Levine says acts like Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Rockstar Supernova and Goo Goo Dolls are all "doing better than ever" in Canadian markets. He adds that all genres seem to be doing well in Canada."All genres are hot," agrees Shane Bourbonnais, president of Live Nation Canada in Vancouver. "And 2007 is shaping up to be bigger than 2006."Consistency has been key, O'Connor says, "along with the fact we've been able to attract acts and show there's more to Canada than just Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. This is a large marketplace. We can scale anything from a small theater run across Canada to a major tour, playing all types of venues from St. Johns, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia."Levine says the health of the Canadian economy has been a major factor in the strong concert business, as is a more favorable ticket-buying pattern. The fact that consumers have not been conditioned to wait for "fire sale" discounts for shows, as is the case in many U.S. markets, contributes to more solid box-office grosses."Tickets don't get discounted in Canada like they do in the U.S.," Levine says. "People don't wait; they know they have to buy."That the Canadian live market is thriving is no secret among agents booking tours north of the border, making saturation a real possibility."There is a danger of [saturation] mostly in the March-May and September-November tours," Levine says. "Tours and acts need to spread out, [and] promoters need to help as well."But O'Connor doesn't see much cause for concern about market saturation."Maybe that could be a factor in certain genres where there is a limited population based on demographics," he says. "For example, we did Guns N' Roses in November, and I didn't know the depth [the band would have] in certain markets. But it shows people are drawn to talent, and Guns N' Roses were a blazing success across Canada."Besides, O'Connor says, acts aren't flocking to Canada just because they hear the market is hot."This is still a foreign country. Acts still have to cross the border, and there are foreign exchange and tax issues in crossing the border," he says. "Acts weigh all these things. They don't just come in willy-nilly because they can get a booking in Saskatoon."And, increasingly, crossing the border has become more complex. Those traveling by air, including artists and crew, now have to show a U.S. passport to get back into the United States, and those traveling by ground will have to show a passport starting in 2009."It's really important we get that word out in [the] American music industry," O'Connor says.According to O'Connor, a healthy currency exchange between the United States and Canada may be the biggest single factor in stimulating the Canadian touring market."My concern is once the U.S. economy rebounds and the American dollar gets strong again, what happens to the Canadian dollar and our touring future," he says."I'd hate to see the exchange go from almost one for one with the American dollar back to 50 cents to the American dollar. "CANADA MUSIC WEEK: DAVID FOSTER, HOMELAND HERO March 10, 2007 David Foster is proof that you can go home again. Although this native of Victoria, British Columbia, has lived in Malibu, Calif., for years, he spends much time in Canada.The winner of 14 Grammy Awards and seven Juno Awards will return home once again March 8, when the producer/songwriter is inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame.The day of this interview, the multitalented musician met with fellow Canadian Michael Bublé to discuss the crooner's forthcoming album on Foster's 143 Records, which is now wholly owned by Warner Music Group. Not surprisingly, he was also planning his appearance at the opening night of the Victoria Film Festival, where he was slated to perform.You already have a star on Canada's Walk of Fame, and you're an officer of the Order of Canada. What does getting inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame mean to you?I looked at the list of those who had gone before me, and I thought, "It's a really stellar list." And I love Canada so much that I remember, when I got honored at the Junos a few years ago, my speech ran 22 minutes, much to the dismay of everybody. But I'm just such a proud Canadian. I really am.When you were growing up in Canada, were there Canadian artists who influenced you?There was a program on every day after school that was from a different city: On Mondays it was from Vancouver, on Wednesdays it was from Winnipeg, Fridays was Toronto. There was even [a broadcast from] Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia. Anne Murray was on from Nova Scotia. The Guess Who were from Winnipeg, the Classics were from Vancouver, and it was just the greatest show. I got so inspired seeing all these great musicians and these great bands, and so that was my earliest memory of Canadian music.Your first real success was when you were in the band Skylark, which scored a big hit in 1972 with "Wildflower." Do you have any regrets about not focusing more on being an artist?Yes, I'm slightly regretful that I didn't follow through, because I had such a good start on it by being in a band that had a hit record. I remember being a session player in the '70s, and I was playing with the guys in Tots and Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour and Ray Parker Jr., and they all went off and became artists, and I thought, "Wow, that's really cool. I should do that," but I never did. I made some solo albums and they weren't really that successful, but in fairness I never really gave it a chance, because I always got pulled into the studio, producing and writing, and I never went on the road.When you look back, is there one that got away from you?There is one. I really, really, really thought I was the right guy to produce the Led Zeppelin "Unplugged" album. I thought the ultimate unplugged album would be Led Zeppelin with a full orchestra. I had a couple of conversations with Robert Plant, actually, and he was very nice on the phone, and in the end, it just didn't come my way and I was heartbroken. I regret that one.There's one more that I'm trying to do now, that I'm soliciting actually, and I haven't been successful at it yet. I believe I can make a great record with Stevie Wonder. We've talked and kidded, we've played together, we've jammed, we've socialized. But he's never really said to me point blank, "Yes, I want to work with you."You've been at the forefront of the music that appeals to adults. If you look at 143's roster, it includes artists like Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Renee Olstead and now Peter Cincotti.The fact of the matter is I've been slagged my whole life for doing so-called pussy music-you know, like people say the reason I don't go into elevators is because I'm afraid to hear my own music. That's actually not the truth, but when I lay my hands on the piano what comes out is what comes out.I can listen to Van Halen and Metallica, and there's a group, Muse, that I love. I love Jay-Z, [Dr.] Dre, Eminem. I love all of that and I love listening to that, but when I lay my hands on the piano, that's what comes out. That's who I am, and you should always stay in your lane and be true to who you are.Despite all your success, you seem like you still have so much you want to achieve.I really do. You have people saying, "I got out of the music business; it was just full of assholes." No, it's not full of assholes. The music business is not difficult for Justin Timberlake right now; he's having a great time. It's not difficult for Beyoncé. The older we get, the more difficult it gets. You have to fight harder to maintain your position, and Ronnie Hawkins taught me you have to retreat and attack in other directions. If I've been masterful at anything I think it has been that.
RADIO - Astral agrees to buy Standard radio stations - 05mar AP -- Astral Media Inc. said Friday it has signed a letter of intent and is in exclusive negotiations to buy Standard Radio Inc., Canada's biggest privately owned radio broadcaster. The acquisition, rumoured to be worth $1.3 billion, would make Astral the largest operator of radio stations in the country. The assets involved include Standard's 52 radio stations in 29 markets across the country, along with advertising sales company IMS, radio content provider Sound Source Networks, and two television stations in northern British Columbia. Astral did not disclose a probable price, but said the purchase would likely be transacted 80 per cent in cash with the rest in class A non-voting shares. Subject to a definitive agreement and regulatory approval, the deal would leave Astral Media, which currently has 29 radio stations in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, with 81 stations nationwide. "With the acquisition of Standard Radio, Astral Media will not only be acquiring the best-performing radio stations in the country; we will at the same time acquire a company with similar values and culture," stated Astral CEO Ian Greenberg. Astral Media Inc. said Friday it has signed a letter of intent and is in exclusive negotiations to buy Standard Radio Inc., Canada's biggest privately owned radio broadcaster. The acquisition, rumoured to be worth $1.3 billion, would make Astral the largest operator of radio stations in the country. It also owns multiple stations in the Ontario cities of Hamilton, St. Catharines, Pembroke and London; two in Brandon, Man.; and 21 in small B.C. centres. The assets involved include Standard's 52 radio stations in 29 markets across the country, along with advertising sales company IMS, radio content provider Sound Source Networks, and two television stations in northern British Columbia. Astral did not disclose a probable price, but said the purchase would likely be transacted 80 per cent in cash with the rest in class A non-voting shares. Subject to a definitive agreement and regulatory approval, the deal would leave Astral Media, which currently has 29 radio stations in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, with 81 stations nationwide. "With the acquisition of Standard Radio, Astral Media will not only be acquiring the best-performing radio stations in the country; we will at the same time acquire a company with similar values and culture," stated Astral CEO Ian Greenberg. "Over the past four decades, [Standard owners] the Slaight family has built a remarkable collection of strong radio brands and has contributed meaningfully in shaping the Canadian radio industry as we know it today. We are delighted with the prospect of welcoming Standard Radio's employees into our team." Standard Radio CEO Gary Slaight, son of Allan Slaight who built the company after buying it from Conrad Black's Hollinger group in 1985, said the family is "pleased to see our legacy live on with a company such as Astral that has such a strong track record and commitment to its employees and to the Canadian radio and television industries."Formal deal in March - Both sides said they would not comment further until a formal agreement is signed. Astral's vice-president of corporate communications, Alain Bergeron, said a firm deal is expected by the end of March. He refused to comment on the rumoured price. The agreement excludes other assets of Standard Radio parent company Standard Broadcasting Corp., including its stake in satellite radio operator Sirius Canada, a partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio of the U.S. and the Crown-owned CBC. Standard Broadcasting also has interests in e-commerce, videotape and DVD distribution, and internet radio portal Iceberg Radio. Standard announced a plan in May 2006 to spin off an income trust focused on its radio interests, but the idea was aborted in June amid a stock-market dip. Astral recently sought other acquisitions For Astral, the Standard Radio deal follows years of scouting for acquisitions, and coming up short in two recent deals. "I think they want to have a national footprint and Standard offers a nice, clean opportunity to do that," commented an industry analyst who asked not to be named. Astral attempted to buy radio and TV company CHUM Ltd. in the summer of 2006, but CTVglobemedia prevailed with a $1.7-billion bid. Astral was also considered a likely buyer of Alliance Atlantis, a dominant player in the specialty channel business. Ultimately that deal proved too complicated, according to CEO Greenberg. A source familiar with the Astral-Standard talks noted that Standard's radio stations would position Astral to compete more strongly against Corus Entertainment's dominant radio holdings in Quebec. The Montreal-based company is also active in specialty, pay and pay-per-view television, outdoor advertising and the Internet. Before Friday's after-hours announcement, Astral shares closed at $42.86 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, down $1.76 or four per cent on the day but up from just over $32 a year earlier. Standard's radio stations include:In Montreal: MIX 96, CHOM and CJAD. In Toronto: CFRB, MIX 99.9 and EZ Rock. In Ottawa: The Bear. In Winnipeg: HOT 103 and QX 104. In Edmonton: EZ Rock, The Bear and CFRN. In Calgary: CKMX, CJAY and VIBE. In Vancouver: CISL and Z95.3.
MUSIC & COPYRIGHT - Colleges and universities have their own illicit download problems -- 05mar2007 AP -- Any environment combining music-loving young adults and broadband connections is bound to create more than a few copyright infringement situations. And nobody knows that better than the Recording Industry Association of America, which recently launched a new campaign to thwart music piracy in institutes of higher learning. The RIAA says advances in software have enabled the organization to better trace file-sharing on campuses. On February 28th the trade organization announced it had sent 400 pre-litigation settlement letters to 13 different universities warning the schools that the music industry is ready to launch an infringement suit against a school's student or employee. In sending the letters, the RIAA is asking the schools to forward the messages to the people the organization claims are copyright infringers. Now, make no mistake about this. This isn't a warning to campus file-traders to clean up their copyright acts. These letters are settlement offers from the RIAA, telling students and campus personnel to pay up now or face costly future litigation. Of the schools on the RIAA's pre-trial hit list, Ohio University received 50 letters, both Syracuse University and North Carolina State University received 37, and the University of South Florida found 31 such messages in its mailbox. "Our work with college administrators has yielded real progress and we're grateful for the help of those who have worked closely with us," RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol said. "At the same time, we recognize that the nature of online music theft is changing, and we need to adjust our strategies accordingly." This isn't the RIAA's first attempt to police campus pipelines. The organization has long complained about universities turning blind eyes to student file-sharing. However that has changed as school administrations began taking tougher approaches to illicit song swapping. At Michigan State University, anyone caught twice must watch an RIAA-produced eight-minute anti-piracy DVD, and a "third strike" offender can be suspended for a semester. "I get the whole spectrum of excuses," said Randall Hall, who polices MSU's campus network. "The most common answer I get is, ‘All my friends are doing this. Why did I get caught?'"
BOOK - Writers' Trust of Canada Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for excellence in political writing by J.ADams, 01mar07 Globe and Mail -- A book that revealed that the young Pierre Trudeau had fascist, anti-Semitic and separatist proclivities has won the seventh annual $15,000 Writers' Trust of Canada Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for excellence in political writing. Max and Monique Nemni, the Toronto-based authors of Young Trudeau: Son of Quebec, Father of Canada 1919-1944, received the prize last night at a ceremony in Ottawa, with its French-to-English translator William Johnson getting $3,750 of the award money. The Nemnis' book, which generated shock waves across Canada upon its release last May, beat four other titles, including John English's Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Volume One: 1919-1968, for the prize, which is named after the popular Conservative MP from Windsor, Ont., who died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1998. The other nominees were The Way It Works: Inside Ottawa by veteran Liberal strategist and Chrétien adviser Eddie Goldenberg; The Washington Diaries, 1981-1989 by Alan Gotlieb, former Canadian ambassador to the United States and an architect of the North American Free Trade Agreement; and Bitter Chocolate: Investigating the Dark Side of the World's Most Seductive Sweet by Carol Off, host of CBC Radio One's As It Happens. Each of the runners-up received $2,000. The trio of judges -- Toronto Star columnist Carol Goar, retired civil servant, author and university professor Arthur Kroeger, and Ottawa Citizen columnist Susan Riley -- lauded the Nemnis, both retired university professors and friends of Trudeau, for "changing the perceptions and challenging the political reflexes of Canadians." The Nemni book was published in English by McClelland & Stewart, as an imprint of Douglas Gibson Books.
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MUSIC & COPYRIGHT - EMI, Bertelsmann agree to settle lawsuit 2007-03-29 (AP) -- British music company EMI Group PLC and German media conglomerate Bertelsmann AG said Monday they have agreed to settle a copyright infringement lawsuit over Bertelsmann's connection with the original Napster online file-sharing service. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed. The agreement resolves legal claims brought by EMI's recorded music and music publishing units against Bertelsmann. The German company did not admit any liability as part of the settlement. In a statement, EMI Group Chief Executive Eric Nicoli said, "We can now put this matter behind us and continue to pursue the development of new legitimate digital music business models." EMI, Vivendi's Universal Music Group and a group of music publishers sued Bertelsmann in 2003 in federal court in San Francisco, alleging Bertelsmann was liable for copyright infringement because it invested in Napster at a time that the popular service was openly allowing computer users to share music illegally. Napster allowed users to browse each other's MP3 music collections stored on their computers and pluck liberally from them, sharing and swapping for free. The original Napster went offline in 2001 after a series of court rulings. Last fall, Universal settled with Bertelsmann for $61.22 million. Several music publishers still have pending claims against Bertelsmann.
COPYRIGHT - ONLINE LEGAL DEPOSIT IN CANADA - Canada”s legal deposit program, which requires publishers to deposit copies of all works published in Canada with Library & Archives Canada, has expanded and clarified legal deposit of online publications. As of January 1, 2007, all online “publications” must be deposited with Library & Archives Canada using either open access (unlimited access to the public) or restricted access (public access only at selected computer terminals at Library & Archives Canada). The new rules were introduced to address concerns about digital rights management technology, which can restrict access to subscribers only. CANADIAN COPYRIGHT BOARD RULES ON ONLINE MUSIC DOWNLOADS “ The Canadian Copyright Board approved a tariff for for online music services. The Board ruled that 7.9 percent of a song”s price must go to the copyright holder (in the case of permanent downloads.) For downloads that require a Web subscription, and for on-demand streaming music, the royalties are 5.9 and 4.6 percent of the cost of a month”s subscription, respectively. The tariff applies retroactively from 2005 to 2007. Rates for future years will have to be approved by the Copyright Board. WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DAY IS APRIL 26 - The World Intellectual Property Organization (“WIPO”) is celebrating the link between intellectual property and creativity on April 26, 2007. For posters, postcards and more information, see http://www.wipo.int/about-ip/en/world_ip/2007/index.html
MUSIC - SEATTLE -- Paul McCartney first artist of new Starbucks record label by Curt Woodward Associated Press 22mar07 -- Paul McCartney was introduced Wednesday as the first artist signed to Starbucks Corp.'s new record label. The former Beatle made an appearance via a video feed from London at the company's annual meeting. The world's largest specialty coffee retailer announced earlier this month that it was partnering with Concord Music Group to launch the Los Angeles-based Hear Music label. The McCartney announcement is another big step for Seattle-based Starbucks' attempts to spin part of its consumer appeal into the entertainment business. The coffeehouse chain already has produced and sold some albums, markets books, and helped develop a feature-length movie. Hear Music has been used as a brand on other releases developed for sale in Starbucks stores. The coffee giant also has a branded page on Apple Inc.'s iTunes digital music store, and a handful of hybrid music-and-coffee stores that allow customers to burn tracks to CDs. Concord, which controls several other labels, helped Starbucks sell the Grammy-winning "Genius Loves Company," an album of Ray Charles duets.COPYRIGHT - Access Copyright Receives Full Restitution in Fraud Case March 14, 2007 The Ontario Superior Court has ruled in the case against two individuals who were charged earlier this year with defrauding Access Copyright, The Canadian Copyright Licensing Agency. In its judgment the Court ruled that restitution be made to Access Copyright for the full amount of the fraud that was committed. Access Copyright received this repayment within hours of the ruling. The suspected fraudulent activities were uncovered in 2005 by Access Copyright staff, and the police were contacted after a thorough internal review had been conducted. In May of 2006, following further investigation by the police, criminal charges were laid against a former employee and an individual not connected with Access Copyright. In determining that Access Copyright would receive full repayment, the Court noted the excellent work of Access Copyright's staff in investigating and compiling the evidence related to this case We are very pleased with this ruling and with the fact that the $61,000 that has been repaid can be returned to its rightful place in the repertoire pool and, from there, into the pockets of the affiliates to whom it belongs. We are also pleased with the response of our affiliates, who have helped us implement rigorous new procedures to help ensure this never happens again. In the plea bargain made by the Crown and the defendants in the case, the charges against the former employee were withdrawn in exchange for the full restitution of the defrauded amount. The other individual involved in the case received a sentence of three months house arrest and an eight month conditional sentence that will lead to a jail term of eight months if the individual does not abide by all of the conditions of the judgment.
BOOKS - Independent Publisher Book Awards -- for info visit Independent Authors and Publishers - IPPY Awards
INTERNET & COPYRIGHT - Viacom sues YouTube for $1 billion: Suit accuses Google of 'massive copyright infringement' of Viacom's entertainment assets. March 13 2007 (Reuters) -- Media conglomerate Viacom Inc. said Tuesday that it was suing Google Inc. and its Internet video-sharing site YouTube for more than $1 billion over unauthorized use of its programming online. The lawsuit, the biggest challenge to date to Google's ambitions to make YouTube into a major vehicle for advertising and entertainment, accuses the Web search leader and its unit of "massive intentional copyright infringement." Viacom filed the suit with the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, seeking more than $1 billion in damages and an injunction against further violations. Viacom contends that almost 160,000 unauthorized clips of its programming have been uploaded onto YouTube's site and viewed more than 1.5 billion times. "YouTube's strategy has been to avoid taking proactive steps to curtail the infringement on its site," Viacom said in a statement. "Their business model, which is based on building traffic and selling advertising off of unlicensed content, is clearly illegal and is in obvious conflict with copyright laws." Viacom said its decision to sue Google followed "a great deal of unproductive negotiation" with the company
MUSIC & TRADEMARK - WHO OWNS THE NAME BLACK SABBATH 12mar2007 AP -- How do you promote a Black Sabbath tour when you're only allowed to mention the legendary Black Sabbath name in the fine print? Don't ask Ronnie James Dio, the singer for the current Sabbath tour because he's a bit foggy about the politics of the name game himself. When the pioneering heavy metal band touches down in Vancouver tomorrow at the Pacific Coliseum, they do so under the banner Heaven & Hell, which is the title of Sabbath's 10th album, released in 1980. That was the first Sabbath record in which Dio appeared as the lead singer, in place of the band's original vocalist Ozzy Osbourne. So why is the recently reunited Dio-led lineup touring now under the Heaven & Hell moniker? Many fans have speculated Ozzy's wife and manager, the ever brassy Sharon Osbourne, is to blame. After all, Ozzy's version of Black Sabbath has been headlining his summer Ozzfest tours since 1997, and because of that the Osbournes may be laying claim to the name. "As far as Sharon being the perpetrator of that, I would certainly not like to think so," says Dio. "I don't like to think that my life is predicated on somebody else's whims who has nothing to do with me." But Dio's not sure who has ultimate control of the Sabbath name. "I have no idea," says the five-foot-four singer with the colossal voice. "That seems to have been a point of contention for a long time. Who owns the name? Is it Sharon? Is it Ozzy? Is it Tony Iommi (guitarist for both Black Sabbath and Heaven & Hell)? I would think if Tony owned the name, we would be calling ourselves Black Sabbath, so maybe he doesn't." Given the recent Ozzfest tours, and the fact that Sabbath with Ozzy was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, Iommi and the band's bassist Geezer Butler felt like they wanted to make the new tour distinct from the other incarnation of Sabbath. "They wanted to carry on with something fresh and new," Dio says. "When they proposed (the band name Heaven & Hell), my initial reaction was, and still is, 'Well they're gonna call us f---in' Black Sabbath anyway, aren't they? You can call as the Boys in the Shed if you want to. It doesn't matter to me."'
MUSIC - RIAA urges downloaders to turn themselves in by Owen Praskievicz U-Wire 08mar2007 COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- The Recording Industry Association of America has an idea for university students who illegally download music: Sign a letter admitting their mistakes, make a plea-bargain with the multi-million dollar industry, then pay them an out-of-court settlement. Then maybe -- just maybe -- the college student will be lucky enough to avoid a lawsuit. In a new plan targeting college students, the RIAA said last week that lawyers had sent out 400 settlement offers to students through 13 universities across the country demanding settlement money for illegally downloaded copyright material. And although no students at this university were selected in the first wave of letters, the strategy signals an audacious and unprecedented approach by the industry to crack down on college students that could soon envelop students at this university. "There isn't a college student in America today who doesn't know that the online 'sharing' of copyrighted music is illegal," said RIAA President Cary Sherman in a recorded online news conference with college newspapers. "Yet, file-trafficking on college campuses remains extensive and disproportionately problematic." Sherman said the letters don't target any specific universities -- only students identified as prolific file-sharers. Ohio University appeared to get the worst of the RIAA's ire this time around -- 50 students there were asked to visit RIAA website and pay thousands of dollars to settle threats of impending lawsuits. RIAA lawyers targeted the top 13 universities who have received the most cease and desist warnings -- "nastygrams," as some critics call them -- ordering universities to shut down file-sharing hubs and warn students to stop downloading copyright material, according to documents provided by the association. With more than 300 warnings received here, this university ranked 26th in the country for most warnings sent, and could be targeted in a second wave of warnings. Typical copyright law provides for statutory damages ranging from $750 to $150,000 per work infringed, and RIAA General Counsel Steven Marks said the latest effort will likely rope in a record-high number of students. "In the three years since we first filed suit against a university network user, we have sued about 1,000 students," Marks said. "Under this new program, we will initiate legal action against a similar number of students in just three months." Sherman said the RIAA will only send the letters to the university, which it hopes will transfer the letters to the students. At this university, officials have already taken significant steps to placate the RIAA, including revising network guidelines that effectively shut down file-sharing hub Direct Connect last semester, commonly known as DC++, if only temporarily. But Office of Information Technology officials said last semester they would not defend students sued by the RIAA because it would conflict with the university's policy against file sharing, which they said is consistent with the law. OIT officials did not return calls for comment on this story. Marks warned that unlike lawsuits three years ago, the RIAA no longer targets only the most "egregious infringers" who store and share thousands of copyright files. "Today we do not have any minimum amount of files in order to move forward with a lawsuit," Marks said. "Students should understand that they are not anonymous when they use P2P services." Blogs and other student sites have blasted the RIAA's new policy, calling it extortion and saying it will trick some students from seeking out more viable alternatives to the settlement. The university's Student Legal Aid Office could not be reached for comment, but in the past it has sait it can only refer students to an outside attorney. "Frankly, we've found that students know that downloading from unauthorized P2P systems is illegal, but the chance of getting caught isn't great enough to discourage them from doing it," Sherman said. "By increasing the number of lawsuits, we're letting them know that the risk of getting caught is greater. That's also why we're bringing more lawsuits on a single college campus."
MUSIC - Managers, Retailers Concerned Over Wave Of Layoffs by L.Leblanc Billboard 07mar2007 -- Canadian artist managers and retailers are anxiously waiting to see how EMI and Sony BMG's operations in the country shape up following hefty layoffs in February."It is horrific timing," says Halifax, Nova Scotia-based artist manager Sheri Jones, who handles pop/roots trio Shaye. EMI Canada released Shaye's sophomore album "Lake of Fire" Feb. 6. After the layoffs, Jones says, "I'm anxious to find out who we're working with."The culling began Feb. 19, when Sony BMG Music Canada laid off what sources say were between 35 and 40 employees. The following day's layoffs at EMI Music Canada saw 40-50 employees axed. Billboard understands EMI had around 105 staff prior to the layoffs, while Sony BMG had some 175.Sony BMG declined to comment; a New York-based EMI spokeswoman would only say the cuts are part of its current cost-saving global restructuring. Billboard has learned that EMI staff departing its Toronto headquarters included associated distributed labels director Doug Caldwell plus directors of marketing Andres Mendoza and Jane Tattersall. Eastern region sales director Val D'Amico in Montreal leaves April 5.According to sources close to the label, EMI is now in negotiations to sell its Mississauga, Ontario, headquarters where it has been since 1967. Staff will move to new quarters in midtown Toronto in March.The majority of EMI's layoffs were in manufacturing and distribution. Sources familiar with the situation confirm both operations have closed and that EMI is close to a manufacturing/distribution deal with Scarborough, Ontario-based Cinram International.Exiting Sony BMG staffers included VP of domestic marketing/international exploitation Dave Toomey, director of customer marketing Greg Pappas and joint head of A&R Jonathan Ramos.Sony BMG and EMI have also both shut down branch offices in Vancouver.Toronto-based Ivan Berry of IB Entertainment, which handles Sony BMG Canada R&B singer Keisha Chante, expresses considerable concern about the layoffs' effects. "If their new structure can bear a superstar like Keisha, fine," he says. "If it's not the right home for her, then we will move on. We don't have answers yet."Music merchants say they are giving Sony BMG and EMI product cautious backing for the moment. "Until it's proven their records are going to be properly marketed and promoted, I will be very hesitant about stepping up on product," says Tim Baker, buyer for 28-store Ontario chain Sunrise Records."Hopefully, they can support their releases," Handleman Entertainment Canada VP of purchasing Ken Kozey says. "But for now, [purchasing] is a title-by-title situation."Nettwerk Group CEO Terry McBride in Vancouver says the layoffs are not surprising. "Both held off doing this for a long time," he says. McBride's Nettwerk Records label has a pressing/distribution agreement with Sony BMG Canada, and he manages Sony BMG-signed vocalist Chantal Kreviazuk.McBride suggests that problems in developing the majors' digital businesses contributed to the layoffs. "They've hit a glass ceiling, digitally, because of their opposition to removing [digital rights management]," he claims. "If their digital sales had grown more, these layoffs would probably not have happened." CANADA MUSIC WEEK: A GLOBAL BOOST March 10, 2007 LARRY LEBLANC -- As president of Canadian Music Week (CMW), Neill Dixon plays a significant role in boosting Canada's international profile. Now in its 25th year, the annual four-day music conference and festival in Toronto opens March 7. "Canadian music is hot internationally, so it's easy convincing people they can do business here," Dixon says, noting that 25 U.K. companies and 10 from Japan will be among those represented. "What Neill and his team have accomplished in 25 years is staggering," Universal Music Canada CEO Randy Lennox says. "What began as a luncheon has evolved into featuring as many international performers and executives as any world-class event of its kind."CMW 2007 will offer an Executive Conference for industry leaders, a TuneUp Conference that targets musicians and entry-level business people, a trade show, four award shows and a music festival featuring more than 500 bands performing in 42 venues.On March 10, the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame will induct rock trio Triumph and producer/songwriter David Foster.The title sponsor for CMW 2007 is cell phone service provider Rogers Wireless, a sign of the increasing ties between the music industry and the mobile communication business. Another key sponsor is Sympatico/MSN, which is due to launch a new community networking site: indiscover.com.At CMW last year, speaker John Kennedy, chairman/CEO of the IFPI, described the transformation of the music business, as record companies embraced new technologies after a "hesitant start."This year, CMW will focus on the threats and opportunities new technologies pose. "Technology has refreshed our conference," Dixon says. "Each year there's something new to deal with."Among this year's keynote speakers are songwriter/producers Foster and Glen Ballard; Elektra Records founder Jac Holzman; Ted Cohen, managing partner of Tag Strategic and chairman of MEF Americas; music futurist Gerd Leonhard; Mathew Knowles, president/CEO of Music World Entertainment; and Big Jon Platt, executive VP/head of urban nationwide for EMI Music Publishing.Dixon recalls when music and radio executives attending CMW scorned the idea that digital technology would fundamentally transform the music industry. It was the message that Nicholas Negroponte, founder and chairman emeritus of Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Media Lab, delivered to CMW attendees in 1993. He warned that if they were not in the digital business in 10 years they had better polish up their résumés.Dixon recalls, "Many were disbelievers, saying, 'This guy is nuts.' "Dixon came to Toronto in 1967 after graduating from Hammersmith College in London. He spent three years running Grumbles, a local coffee house. He has also worked in promotion at RCA Records Canada and GRT Records Canada. In the '80s, he co-managed Martha Reeves, Triumph and Long John Baldry, and co-owned Solid Gold Records with a roster of Triumph, the Good Brothers, Chilliwack and Toronto.CMW began in 1983 as the Record Music Industry Conference, launched by David Farrell and wife Patricia Dunn-Farrell, then co-publishers of the weekly Canadian music trade The Record.Dixon was hired to book speakers, organize panels and later attract sponsors."It was a very domestic event," he says. "It took place until the mid-'90s around the Juno Awards. It was impossible to get any publicity."When Dixon took over CMW in 1993, he changed its format, expanding and diversifying activities to attract representatives from related industries. "Then everything just grew," he says.Dixon has since been able to attract such music industry figures as George Martin, Clive Davis, Moby and Thomas Dolby as speakers. CANADA MUSIC WEEK: NORTH STARS March 10, 2007 As the Canadian music industry convenes in Toronto for the upcoming Canadian Music Week conference March 7-10, Billboard turned to industry leaders in various sectors for their views on issues facing the market. P We also invited these leaders to each identify a Canadian artist (in whom they do not have a business interest) that the international industry should watch in the year ahead.-Comments compiled by Larry LeBlanc, Robert Thompson and Ray Waddell.Terry McBride, CEONettwerk GroupIssue to watch: "The shrinking footprint of retail. CD sales are going down, and while people point to file sharing as a reason it is not just that. It is the availability of finding a CD. Most people who want to buy catalog today just hop online for it."But I don't think brick-and-mortar music retail is dead. A lot of brick-and-mortar stores, however, aren't just selling music anymore. So music is being consumed in the same way as picking up your groceries or your magazines."Specialty shops will still do well based on the persona of the people running them. But the majors playing the big-box game have put these specialty stores in a position where they can't afford knowledgeable staff."When you can buy a CD-first day of sale-at Wal-Mart, Target or a Best Buy cheaper than what you can get it [at wholesale] from the label, that's a problem."Canadian artist to watch: "I don't listen to music as coming from a particular country. [Los Angeles-based singer/songwriter] Colbie Caillat is an artist I really like. His music is earnest, it's real."Steve Kane, PresidentWarner Music CanadaIssue to watch: "Our digital market is being overserviced, but many [U.S.-based] services don't understand the intricacies of the Canadian marketplace. We are trying to get this new market established, and we are running into a brick wall attaining real estate featuring Canadians."We also have to understand that as we are living in a global market we have to not only get our artists listed but effectively use search engines and technology to our benefit."On the mobile front, we have to move beyond telling consumers they can speak to their mothers cheaper past 6 p.m. The mobile world is more dynamic than that. The Canadian mobile companies can hit all three screens-television, computer and cell phones. They are just starting to recognize the power of what they have. They have to now start marketing the content and their enhanced services."Canadian artist to watch: "One of my favorite records is 'Honey From the Tombs' by Amy Millan. It has that old country vibe with none of the clichés."Mike McCarty,PresidentEMI Music Publishing, CanadaIssue to watch: "The old value chain of the music industry has broken down. A new value chain is now being created. In some cases publishers don't have the legal right or the leverage to get their fair share of the wealth that is moving into the hands of others, such as [Internet service providers] or MP3 player manufacturers."If you look at the music chain as an ecosystem, what has happened is that new players have changed the environment, and the ecosystem that created the content for them is now under severe stress."They have a responsibility to replenish the ecosystem, if only for their own self interests. They are the new gatekeepers, and the funding of the promotion of music is now going to shift partly onto their shoulders. I would love to find a new gatekeeper to partner with us in the development of talent in a direct and strategic way. I can see that happening in the next few years."Artist to watch: "Justin Nozuka. He's an 18-year-old singer/songwriter handled by Coalition Entertainment Management in Toronto. He's a very powerful, soulful singer/songwriter."Isabelle Hemond,Director of MarketingPuretracksIssue to watch: Copyright issues and the problem of illegal downloading are still top of mind for many in the country, according to Hemond, whose company, Toronto-based Puretracks, is the first legal digital music site to launch in the country."There is no Canadian legislation in place to legislate against peer-to-peer [file sharing], and many still download illegally, especially young adults in the 18-24 demographic," she says.Similarly, interoperability issues among digital services are confusing Canadian music buyers and slowing the market."There are two popular digital music formats already in the market, and a third was just released. It is getting very confusing for consumers to buy a digital music player, since they don't understand why they can't have the freedom to choose the site they want to download music from."Artist to watch: Signed to Sub Pop, Wolf Parade caused a national stir in 2006 with comparisons to Canada's Arcade Fire. That should increase this year. "They demonstrated their talent, and although they are still below the commercial radar, Wolf Parade are gaining momentum with media and the public."Shane Bourbonnais,PresidentLive Nation CanadaIssue to watch: "Not overloading the market with big shows that all happen at the same time. Canada is hot right now, and it's handling a great volume of shows for a market of 30 million people."Most of these shows are selling lots of tickets. We need to make sure that these shows are spread out over 12 months. If they get bunched up into a short period of time you will see good shows not sell tickets, because there is a ceiling in Canada."CANADA MUSIC WEEK: TOURING SIZZLES March 10, 2007 The Canadian concert market has been sizzling for several years now, begging the questions of why it's so hot and how long the heat can last."The Canadian concert market has been very healthy, and a lot of economic factors are behind this," says Riley O'Connor, senior VP for Live Nation in Toronto."The country has grown up, the population has expanded, demographics have broadened," O'Connor continues. "We didn't just wake up one day and embrace music."William Morris Agency agent David Levine says acts like Justin Timberlake, Snoop Dogg, Rockstar Supernova and Goo Goo Dolls are all "doing better than ever" in Canadian markets. He adds that all genres seem to be doing well in Canada."All genres are hot," agrees Shane Bourbonnais, president of Live Nation Canada in Vancouver. "And 2007 is shaping up to be bigger than 2006."Consistency has been key, O'Connor says, "along with the fact we've been able to attract acts and show there's more to Canada than just Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. This is a large marketplace. We can scale anything from a small theater run across Canada to a major tour, playing all types of venues from St. Johns, Newfoundland, to Victoria, British Columbia."Levine says the health of the Canadian economy has been a major factor in the strong concert business, as is a more favorable ticket-buying pattern. The fact that consumers have not been conditioned to wait for "fire sale" discounts for shows, as is the case in many U.S. markets, contributes to more solid box-office grosses."Tickets don't get discounted in Canada like they do in the U.S.," Levine says. "People don't wait; they know they have to buy."That the Canadian live market is thriving is no secret among agents booking tours north of the border, making saturation a real possibility."There is a danger of [saturation] mostly in the March-May and September-November tours," Levine says. "Tours and acts need to spread out, [and] promoters need to help as well."But O'Connor doesn't see much cause for concern about market saturation."Maybe that could be a factor in certain genres where there is a limited population based on demographics," he says. "For example, we did Guns N' Roses in November, and I didn't know the depth [the band would have] in certain markets. But it shows people are drawn to talent, and Guns N' Roses were a blazing success across Canada."Besides, O'Connor says, acts aren't flocking to Canada just because they hear the market is hot."This is still a foreign country. Acts still have to cross the border, and there are foreign exchange and tax issues in crossing the border," he says. "Acts weigh all these things. They don't just come in willy-nilly because they can get a booking in Saskatoon."And, increasingly, crossing the border has become more complex. Those traveling by air, including artists and crew, now have to show a U.S. passport to get back into the United States, and those traveling by ground will have to show a passport starting in 2009."It's really important we get that word out in [the] American music industry," O'Connor says.According to O'Connor, a healthy currency exchange between the United States and Canada may be the biggest single factor in stimulating the Canadian touring market."My concern is once the U.S. economy rebounds and the American dollar gets strong again, what happens to the Canadian dollar and our touring future," he says."I'd hate to see the exchange go from almost one for one with the American dollar back to 50 cents to the American dollar. "CANADA MUSIC WEEK: DAVID FOSTER, HOMELAND HERO March 10, 2007 David Foster is proof that you can go home again. Although this native of Victoria, British Columbia, has lived in Malibu, Calif., for years, he spends much time in Canada.The winner of 14 Grammy Awards and seven Juno Awards will return home once again March 8, when the producer/songwriter is inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame.The day of this interview, the multitalented musician met with fellow Canadian Michael Bublé to discuss the crooner's forthcoming album on Foster's 143 Records, which is now wholly owned by Warner Music Group. Not surprisingly, he was also planning his appearance at the opening night of the Victoria Film Festival, where he was slated to perform.You already have a star on Canada's Walk of Fame, and you're an officer of the Order of Canada. What does getting inducted into the Canadian Music Industry Hall of Fame mean to you?I looked at the list of those who had gone before me, and I thought, "It's a really stellar list." And I love Canada so much that I remember, when I got honored at the Junos a few years ago, my speech ran 22 minutes, much to the dismay of everybody. But I'm just such a proud Canadian. I really am.When you were growing up in Canada, were there Canadian artists who influenced you?There was a program on every day after school that was from a different city: On Mondays it was from Vancouver, on Wednesdays it was from Winnipeg, Fridays was Toronto. There was even [a broadcast from] Prince Edward Island or Nova Scotia. Anne Murray was on from Nova Scotia. The Guess Who were from Winnipeg, the Classics were from Vancouver, and it was just the greatest show. I got so inspired seeing all these great musicians and these great bands, and so that was my earliest memory of Canadian music.Your first real success was when you were in the band Skylark, which scored a big hit in 1972 with "Wildflower." Do you have any regrets about not focusing more on being an artist?Yes, I'm slightly regretful that I didn't follow through, because I had such a good start on it by being in a band that had a hit record. I remember being a session player in the '70s, and I was playing with the guys in Tots and Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour and Ray Parker Jr., and they all went off and became artists, and I thought, "Wow, that's really cool. I should do that," but I never did. I made some solo albums and they weren't really that successful, but in fairness I never really gave it a chance, because I always got pulled into the studio, producing and writing, and I never went on the road.When you look back, is there one that got away from you?There is one. I really, really, really thought I was the right guy to produce the Led Zeppelin "Unplugged" album. I thought the ultimate unplugged album would be Led Zeppelin with a full orchestra. I had a couple of conversations with Robert Plant, actually, and he was very nice on the phone, and in the end, it just didn't come my way and I was heartbroken. I regret that one.There's one more that I'm trying to do now, that I'm soliciting actually, and I haven't been successful at it yet. I believe I can make a great record with Stevie Wonder. We've talked and kidded, we've played together, we've jammed, we've socialized. But he's never really said to me point blank, "Yes, I want to work with you."You've been at the forefront of the music that appeals to adults. If you look at 143's roster, it includes artists like Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Renee Olstead and now Peter Cincotti.The fact of the matter is I've been slagged my whole life for doing so-called pussy music-you know, like people say the reason I don't go into elevators is because I'm afraid to hear my own music. That's actually not the truth, but when I lay my hands on the piano what comes out is what comes out.I can listen to Van Halen and Metallica, and there's a group, Muse, that I love. I love Jay-Z, [Dr.] Dre, Eminem. I love all of that and I love listening to that, but when I lay my hands on the piano, that's what comes out. That's who I am, and you should always stay in your lane and be true to who you are.Despite all your success, you seem like you still have so much you want to achieve.I really do. You have people saying, "I got out of the music business; it was just full of assholes." No, it's not full of assholes. The music business is not difficult for Justin Timberlake right now; he's having a great time. It's not difficult for Beyoncé. The older we get, the more difficult it gets. You have to fight harder to maintain your position, and Ronnie Hawkins taught me you have to retreat and attack in other directions. If I've been masterful at anything I think it has been that.
RADIO - Astral agrees to buy Standard radio stations - 05mar AP -- Astral Media Inc. said Friday it has signed a letter of intent and is in exclusive negotiations to buy Standard Radio Inc., Canada's biggest privately owned radio broadcaster. The acquisition, rumoured to be worth $1.3 billion, would make Astral the largest operator of radio stations in the country. The assets involved include Standard's 52 radio stations in 29 markets across the country, along with advertising sales company IMS, radio content provider Sound Source Networks, and two television stations in northern British Columbia. Astral did not disclose a probable price, but said the purchase would likely be transacted 80 per cent in cash with the rest in class A non-voting shares. Subject to a definitive agreement and regulatory approval, the deal would leave Astral Media, which currently has 29 radio stations in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, with 81 stations nationwide. "With the acquisition of Standard Radio, Astral Media will not only be acquiring the best-performing radio stations in the country; we will at the same time acquire a company with similar values and culture," stated Astral CEO Ian Greenberg. Astral Media Inc. said Friday it has signed a letter of intent and is in exclusive negotiations to buy Standard Radio Inc., Canada's biggest privately owned radio broadcaster. The acquisition, rumoured to be worth $1.3 billion, would make Astral the largest operator of radio stations in the country. It also owns multiple stations in the Ontario cities of Hamilton, St. Catharines, Pembroke and London; two in Brandon, Man.; and 21 in small B.C. centres. The assets involved include Standard's 52 radio stations in 29 markets across the country, along with advertising sales company IMS, radio content provider Sound Source Networks, and two television stations in northern British Columbia. Astral did not disclose a probable price, but said the purchase would likely be transacted 80 per cent in cash with the rest in class A non-voting shares. Subject to a definitive agreement and regulatory approval, the deal would leave Astral Media, which currently has 29 radio stations in Quebec and the Atlantic provinces, with 81 stations nationwide. "With the acquisition of Standard Radio, Astral Media will not only be acquiring the best-performing radio stations in the country; we will at the same time acquire a company with similar values and culture," stated Astral CEO Ian Greenberg. "Over the past four decades, [Standard owners] the Slaight family has built a remarkable collection of strong radio brands and has contributed meaningfully in shaping the Canadian radio industry as we know it today. We are delighted with the prospect of welcoming Standard Radio's employees into our team." Standard Radio CEO Gary Slaight, son of Allan Slaight who built the company after buying it from Conrad Black's Hollinger group in 1985, said the family is "pleased to see our legacy live on with a company such as Astral that has such a strong track record and commitment to its employees and to the Canadian radio and television industries."Formal deal in March - Both sides said they would not comment further until a formal agreement is signed. Astral's vice-president of corporate communications, Alain Bergeron, said a firm deal is expected by the end of March. He refused to comment on the rumoured price. The agreement excludes other assets of Standard Radio parent company Standard Broadcasting Corp., including its stake in satellite radio operator Sirius Canada, a partnership with Sirius Satellite Radio of the U.S. and the Crown-owned CBC. Standard Broadcasting also has interests in e-commerce, videotape and DVD distribution, and internet radio portal Iceberg Radio. Standard announced a plan in May 2006 to spin off an income trust focused on its radio interests, but the idea was aborted in June amid a stock-market dip. Astral recently sought other acquisitions For Astral, the Standard Radio deal follows years of scouting for acquisitions, and coming up short in two recent deals. "I think they want to have a national footprint and Standard offers a nice, clean opportunity to do that," commented an industry analyst who asked not to be named. Astral attempted to buy radio and TV company CHUM Ltd. in the summer of 2006, but CTVglobemedia prevailed with a $1.7-billion bid. Astral was also considered a likely buyer of Alliance Atlantis, a dominant player in the specialty channel business. Ultimately that deal proved too complicated, according to CEO Greenberg. A source familiar with the Astral-Standard talks noted that Standard's radio stations would position Astral to compete more strongly against Corus Entertainment's dominant radio holdings in Quebec. The Montreal-based company is also active in specialty, pay and pay-per-view television, outdoor advertising and the Internet. Before Friday's after-hours announcement, Astral shares closed at $42.86 on the Toronto Stock Exchange, down $1.76 or four per cent on the day but up from just over $32 a year earlier. Standard's radio stations include:In Montreal: MIX 96, CHOM and CJAD. In Toronto: CFRB, MIX 99.9 and EZ Rock. In Ottawa: The Bear. In Winnipeg: HOT 103 and QX 104. In Edmonton: EZ Rock, The Bear and CFRN. In Calgary: CKMX, CJAY and VIBE. In Vancouver: CISL and Z95.3.
MUSIC & COPYRIGHT - Colleges and universities have their own illicit download problems -- 05mar2007 AP -- Any environment combining music-loving young adults and broadband connections is bound to create more than a few copyright infringement situations. And nobody knows that better than the Recording Industry Association of America, which recently launched a new campaign to thwart music piracy in institutes of higher learning. The RIAA says advances in software have enabled the organization to better trace file-sharing on campuses. On February 28th the trade organization announced it had sent 400 pre-litigation settlement letters to 13 different universities warning the schools that the music industry is ready to launch an infringement suit against a school's student or employee. In sending the letters, the RIAA is asking the schools to forward the messages to the people the organization claims are copyright infringers. Now, make no mistake about this. This isn't a warning to campus file-traders to clean up their copyright acts. These letters are settlement offers from the RIAA, telling students and campus personnel to pay up now or face costly future litigation. Of the schools on the RIAA's pre-trial hit list, Ohio University received 50 letters, both Syracuse University and North Carolina State University received 37, and the University of South Florida found 31 such messages in its mailbox. "Our work with college administrators has yielded real progress and we're grateful for the help of those who have worked closely with us," RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Bainwol said. "At the same time, we recognize that the nature of online music theft is changing, and we need to adjust our strategies accordingly." This isn't the RIAA's first attempt to police campus pipelines. The organization has long complained about universities turning blind eyes to student file-sharing. However that has changed as school administrations began taking tougher approaches to illicit song swapping. At Michigan State University, anyone caught twice must watch an RIAA-produced eight-minute anti-piracy DVD, and a "third strike" offender can be suspended for a semester. "I get the whole spectrum of excuses," said Randall Hall, who polices MSU's campus network. "The most common answer I get is, ‘All my friends are doing this. Why did I get caught?'"
BOOK - Writers' Trust of Canada Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for excellence in political writing by J.ADams, 01mar07 Globe and Mail -- A book that revealed that the young Pierre Trudeau had fascist, anti-Semitic and separatist proclivities has won the seventh annual $15,000 Writers' Trust of Canada Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for excellence in political writing. Max and Monique Nemni, the Toronto-based authors of Young Trudeau: Son of Quebec, Father of Canada 1919-1944, received the prize last night at a ceremony in Ottawa, with its French-to-English translator William Johnson getting $3,750 of the award money. The Nemnis' book, which generated shock waves across Canada upon its release last May, beat four other titles, including John English's Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Volume One: 1919-1968, for the prize, which is named after the popular Conservative MP from Windsor, Ont., who died of a cerebral hemorrhage in 1998. The other nominees were The Way It Works: Inside Ottawa by veteran Liberal strategist and Chrétien adviser Eddie Goldenberg; The Washington Diaries, 1981-1989 by Alan Gotlieb, former Canadian ambassador to the United States and an architect of the North American Free Trade Agreement; and Bitter Chocolate: Investigating the Dark Side of the World's Most Seductive Sweet by Carol Off, host of CBC Radio One's As It Happens. Each of the runners-up received $2,000. The trio of judges -- Toronto Star columnist Carol Goar, retired civil servant, author and university professor Arthur Kroeger, and Ottawa Citizen columnist Susan Riley -- lauded the Nemnis, both retired university professors and friends of Trudeau, for "changing the perceptions and challenging the political reflexes of Canadians." The Nemni book was published in English by McClelland & Stewart, as an imprint of Douglas Gibson Books.
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