Sorry, I'm all about the rights of artists, but this seems to be a bit too far. Retroactively applied to 2008..........what are they going to do, watch everyone's wedding video?
Beginning of article:
I have repeated complained about the runaway copyright and trademark laws — and the failure of politicians to protect the public from
draconian penalties and
thug-like actions by the industry. Now, the industry is targeting weddings — retroactively — to impose fees for playing that rendition of “Because You Loved Me” to be sure that Celine Dion gets her cut from the happy couple.
The Copyright Board of Canada has long been accused of being an extension of the industry and approved new fees to play recorded music at large gatherings, including weddings. For events with fewer than one hundred people, you will pay $9.25 per day. For a reception of 400 guests, the fee will be $27.76. However, that is only if you want to save money by barring your guests from dancing. If anyone dances, the fee goes up to $55.52. Now you know why Carrie Underwood says “I hope you dance.”
The industry is looking at bringing in an additional $100 million in new fees by raiding weddings and other events.
The new fees are retro-active to 2008 and Canada will now be dispatching an army of wedding crashers — inspectors who will enforce the fines.
Full article here: http://jonathanturley.org/2012/06/04/wedding-crasher-canada-to-impose-retroactive-charges-in-playing-songs-at-weddings/