Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  Again, I'm not an artist per se. I thank you for your comments with respect to the quality of Canadian content having improved in the last few years. That's certainly something we're very proud of, and it makes our job of representing producers much easier when there's a broader public acceptance, both domestically and internationally, of our work.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  One of the things that need to be remembered is that we in our sector create content with the use of various unions and guild talents--actors, writers, directors, and so forth. When we compensate those performers, writers, and directors, we don't just compensate them based on what we call front-end work.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  I think we're looking for something more along the lines of a notice and takedown type of regime, which we think would be more effective. Do you want to comment further on that, Reynolds?

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  I think the practical problem is that it's difficult to define. We heard it from previous questioning of the prior witnesses who were up here. I don't think anyone in this room wants to see endless litigation on these issues, because uncertainty really is the devil's playground.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  The difficulty here is that we are in an emerging marketplace and TPMs are extremely important in terms of allowing producers of content to really fully exploit the business models. The Government of Canada has invested in it heavily as well as the producer. So if we all want to see a return on our investment, of course there has to be a recognition of the consumer and consumer rights in that context, but there needs to be a real balancing that takes place.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  Finally, I have a brief word about something that is not in the bill. Over the past several rounds of copyright reform, we have requested of successive governments that producers be recognized as the first owners and authors of copyright in a cinematographic work. Currently, the Copyright Act is silent on this critically important issue.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, thank you for inviting us to meet with you today. The CMPA represents the interests of almost 400 companies engaged in the production and distribution of English-language television programs, feature films, and interactive media productions in all regions of Canada.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  I'll make an initial comment and then I'll pass it over to Reynolds, if that's all right. Going back to this whole question of balance, I think any specific penalty provisions have to be mindful of where the violation or the infringement might be taking place and what is of real concern.

Bill C-32 (40th Parliament, 3rd Session) committee  We'll both be addressing the committee.