[LINK] France to tax I.T. devices to raise copyright levy

[bscott@gtlaw.com.au]

The problem with levy and statutory licensing systems is that copyright
owners feel like they're losing control (probably because they are in fact
losing control).  It also reduces their ability to charge differential
pricing depending on the kind of content (eg "premium" content would be
charged for at a higher rate than other content).  Finally, it tends to
focus copyright ownership back on creators rather than distributors
(because it highlights the fact that distributors might actually be
superfluous in the supply chain, so why should they get the right to
control copyright).

Copyright consumers don't tend to like the systems because they perceive
that they're paying for something that they're not receiving/paying for
someone else to "break the law".

Manufacturers of the media/equipment don't like it because it means they
have an extra administrative overhead (for the collection of the levy) for
which they receive no benefit.

In short, levies/statutory licensing systems don't usually get much support
from the broader community.

Brendan






George Michaelson <ggm@dstc.edu.au> on 16/01/2001 05:14:30 PM

To:   Link <link@www.anu.edu.au>
cc:    (bcc: Brendan Scott/Gilbert & Tobin/61)
Subject:  Re: [LINK] France to tax I.T. devices to raise copyright levy




  But its not one or the other.

Well the nebulous 'they' certainly want it to be the whole pot, but
I don't see why we're obligated to like it or accept it.

If you mean strategically, we must oppose a levy as a concept in order
to defeat all constraints, I suppose thats tenable.

But considered on its merits, I think a levy might be part of a viable
solution longterm to the mess we're in.

-George