Thank you, Mr. Chair.
A number of groups representing rights holders have come before us to testify about the content of the bill and to tell us how it weakens the copyright protections that they are defending. We have been told about the removal of provision 6, which allowed the temporary recording exception to be broadened, an idea that is totally vague. We have also been told about the lack of precision in the 30-day exemption, and about what it is possible to do within that period. You have explained to us that it opens up the possibility for radio broadcasters to re-record the copies of the material that they already have in their hands. It also removes in perpetuity the need to pay mechanical rights that are part of the few additional rights that allow songwriters to continue to work.
What we have heard about that from the representatives of large radio station owners groups precisely confirms the fears you have expressed. Some have actually even wondered about the way in which they can make copies instead of paying a license fee. I imagine that kind of thinking makes you a bit hot under the collar.