Tape Tax - David Norris-Elye

You can get live performance or album reviews on the various musicians, groups and events listed in the reviews index below. You can also read comments and notes about music related issues from various people. If YOU have a live performance review on a musician or musical event that you would like to submit for publication on this page, please do so via email using "Review Submission" as your subject:wezel@interlog.com.
 

Index to Tax Views Karla Ingleton David Norris-Elye (You are here) Nash the Slash

Jan 5th, 3am
Dear SOCAN,
I'm writing to express my concerns about this new tax on blank media which I understand is now in effect.

I have no problem with this tax being levied on the consuming public, I do however feel that legitimate music producers / composers & studios like myself should be exempt from this tax entirely. Here are some facts & thoughts about my personal use:

1) CDR's - at least 70% of the CDR's I burn are used to back up audio files (data not music) of original work I've produced here, the other 30% are to make playable music CD's of original work (finished mixes), for pressing plants & for clients

2) DAT tape - DAT is not a consumer product at all, I've never met a non professional who has a DAT machine, the industry first expected that DAT would be a threat but as it turns out it's become a pro format only - 13 yr olds don't buy blank DAT's & copy CD's, DAT's are already $8 & up & are too expensive to make "home copying" worthwhile

3) cassettes - I use cassettes to give clients quick copies of their original works in progress or to listen to my own mixes on other systems (car, kitchen ghetto blaster), to compare sonic elements of the mix - I never tape CD's onto cassettes, I have a CD player in my car & can't stand the sound of cassettes after hearing CD's - I realize that many consumers tape CD's onto cassettes, but they should pay - not me

4) record companies feel they are being ripped off.............not! - it's the composers who get the short end on this one, as it is now record companies / restaurants & broadcasters do very little to compensate artists without a nudge from SOCAN and other licensing associations - LP's used to be $6 before they were phased out, CD's starting at about $15 many years ago & haven't come down as manufacturing costs have dropped due to technology advances - consumers have essentially been ripped off (over-charged) for years, the record companies are getting rich much quicker than ever - the artist / composer gets very little, hence the huge growth of the Indie scene as artists try to control the expenses & income associated with music production

In conclusion I feel that we professionals should have a tax exempt card (or a claw back at tax time) for our use.

I welcome your thoughts.
David Norris-Elye
Towne Music
3333 Martin's Pine Cres. Mississauga, On. L5L 1G3
905-828-4519
email:dnerd@planeteer.com

 

Comments, suggestions on this Web page: wezel@interlog.com

Top of Page