Unhappy Canadian independant labels pull out of CRIA

heystoopid used our news submit to tell us "Seen, on another
blogging link, Michael Geist has some interesting news, that the CRIA, no longer
has any further Canadian Artistic representation from the locally owned
"Independent Labels", except from the big 4's own wholly owned stateside local
subsidiaries!

Thus, whenever the CRIA reps enter any meeting with
Canadian Government Officials, they should be walking around with those little
stars & stripes lapel badges, that are in common use by patriots throughout
the USA. This is so, because now that they represent only the big 4 south of the
border interests, as they continue to peddle the rather dull mainstream music
that seem to prefer down south, at the exclusion of all else!

It seems, that the Canadian Independent Music
labels brethren, are not happy that the RIAA, has totally hijacked the CRIA, and
are now moving it in a direction, which is totally detrimental to the local
talented recording artists! As one would say in applying the truth in
advertising laws, the CRIA should be forced to change their name, to reflect the
new changes as it no longer represents the vast majority of music recording
artists who reside in Canada! A suggestion would be their correct title is now
"RIAA(csbo)" (small "c" is what the big 4 labels think of both it's customers
and artists, residing in Canada, "s" , "b" & "o" represent sub branch only)
Choices, for the independent minded Canadians, is now rapidly being eroded!"

The Canadian Recording Industry Association"s submission to the CRTC"s Commercial Radio Review may go down as one of its biggest blunders. Earlier coverage of its submission focused on the Pollara report (here and here) that contradicts many of CRIA"s claims regarding file sharing and consumer music purchasing habits. Earlier today, there was even more dramatic fallout. Six major Canadian independent music labels - Anthem, Acquarius, The Children"s Group, Linus Entertainment, Nettwerk, and True North Records - all pulled out of CRIA, citing differences with the CRTC submission. The Canadian labels do not disguise their disagreement with the association that purports to represent the Canadian music industry. Choice quotes from the letter, which was copied to the CRTC, Canadian Heritage Minister Bev Oda, and senior Heritage officials, include: "it has become increasingly clear over the past few months that CRIA's position on several important music industry issues are not aligned with our best interests as independent recording companies" and "we do not feel that we can remain members [of CRIA] given CRIA's decision to advocate solely on behalf of the four major foreign multi-national labels."

You can find the Micheal Geist Blog by following this link. Thanks for the news and comment heystoopid.

Source: Micheal Geist Blog