Music on the internet - what you should know

Using illegal sites and file sharing programs can be risky

Using illegal file-sharing programs exposes users to the risk of unwelcome content such as viruses, pornography and violent images.  File-sharing software can also compromise your privacy and security by opening up your computer and sharing what's stored on it with the outside world.

You could be breaking copyright laws

Copyright law applies to downloading, sharing and streaming music just as in the world of physical CDs and DVDs. 

Using legal sites rewards creators for their work

Copyright laws protect artists, musicians, producers and all the people who work in the music industry.  This allows them to be rewarded fairly and to continue creating and producing music.

Note:  Portions of this information is reproduced with permission here from Music and the Internet, A guide for parents and teachers

Parental Advisory Program

Members of Music Canada understand their responsibility in helping parents identify music with explicit lyrics. In a perfect world, parents, teachers and members of the community at large would embrace their own responsibility of attending to the construction of moral shields for children, but we know that this cannot always be the case.

Because it is recognised that there will always be gaps and voids in everyone’s ability to shield and protect society’s kids, Music Canada and its members, some years ago, embarked on a communications initiative to assist parents in the identification of recordings whose content might be inappropriate for younger children to hear.

Each member record company of Music Canada establishes it’s own set of “community standards and values” which it uses as a framework for responsibly addressing these issues. While respecting the artistic vision of the artist and recognising the value of freedom of expression, the record company may, in some instances, ask an artist to re-record certain songs or to revise lyrics because a creative and responsible view of the music demands such a revision.

In instances where the artist and the record company agree that there is musical and artistic credibility in the work even when the lyrics are too explicit for mainstream distribution, the industry’s “Parental Advisory” label is applied prominently to the outside of the permanent packaging.

All product identified in this way is also brought to the attention of retailers in the distribution process and most Canadian retailers offer yet a ‘second layer’ of checks and balances to support the labelling system in-store, having staff keep watch on who is purchasing these products and asking for age-proof I.D. when necessary.

Music Canada and its members will continue in its efforts to ensure that music – all music – commands the maximum opportunity for exposure in the Canadian music marketplace, while at the same time ensuring that the safety and healthful growth of all children is possible.

Below are examples of "Parental Advisory" labelling that is currently in use in Canada.

How to spot counterfeit product

What is pirate or counterfeit product?

Pirate:

Unauthorized duplication of music from
legitimate recordings.

• without permission of rights owners
• often for commercial gain
• often usually poor quality

Counterfeit:

Copied and packaged to resemble the original
sound recording.

• Intending to deceive
• using forged artwork, trademarks and logos

Some indicators of pirated products are:

• No record label
• Poor quality inlay & graphics
• Promos & cover versions
• SID Code obliterated
• No SID Codes
• Incorrect spelling
• Low cost
• CDs, plastic cases and inlay cards packed separately

The IFPI has provided these guidelines on identifying physical pirated and counterfeit product: PDF