CBC Arts: Indie labels break with CRIA over commercial radio proposal

CBC Arts: Indie labels break with CRIA over commercial radio proposal:

Six leading indie record labels have split from the Canadian Recording Industry Association over the group's recent proposal to the CRTC that includes changes to how Canadian music is defined.

'It has become increasingly clear over the past few months that CRIA's position on several important music industry issues are not aligned with our best interests as independent recording companies,' the six labels wrote in a letter to CRIA president Graham Henderson, copying others, including federal Culture Minister Bev Oda.

'We do not feel that we can remain members given CRIA's decision to advocate solely on behalf of the four major foreign multi-national labels,' the letter said.

Nettwerk Records, True North Records, Aquarius Records, the Children's Group, Anthem Records and Linus Entertainment want greater support for both emerging and independent Canadian artists. They have accused the CRIA of looking out for the best interests of multinational music companies rather than Canadian acts.

While I definitely applaud this move, it's not something we should not have expected. The news article says it all: the foreign record labels were trying to enforce their empire's legal mess on us.

When any national organization is dominated by greedy outsiders, it's time to fold up that organization, I say.