Canadian Music Industry Pitches 'You Must Be A Pirate' Tax On Smartphones

Canadian Music Industry Pitches 'You Must Be A Pirate' Tax On Smartphones

5 years ago
Anonymous $roN-uuAfLt

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20180613/10415540030/canadian-music-industry-pitches-you-must-be-pirate-tax-smartphones.shtml

Every electronic device capable of storing data is just another tool in the pirate's chest. If you think your phone or mp3 player or hard drive is just something for storing data and perhaps even purchased software, movies, and music, think again. The simple fact you've decided to purchase any of these devices pretty much ensures content creators everywhere will go bankrupt.

The "you must be a pirate" tax is being pitched again. The senseless fee tacked on to blank plastic discs for so many years continues to migrate to electronic devices, including the tiny chips stashed away inside smartphones. Apparently, the Canadian music industry needs something to replace the revenue stream that dried up when people stopped buying blank CDs. Michael Geist, working with documents secured through a public records request, reports the Canadian music industry is looking for a hefty payout from the government.