Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Copyright Law Blogs -> Michael Geist

Copyright Law

: Michael Geist

CBC Bans Use of Creative Commons Music on Podcasts

By Michael Geist

The producers of the popular CBC radio show Spark have revealed (see the comments) that the public broadcaster has banned programs from using Creative Commons licenced music on podcasts.  The decision is apparently the result of restrictions in collective agreements the CBC has with some talent agencies.  In other words, groups are actively working to block the use of Creative Commons licenced alternatives in their contractual language.  It is enormously problematic to learn that our public broadcaster is blocked from using music alternatives that the creators want to make readily available.  The CBC obviously isn't required to use Creative Commons licenced music, but this highlights an instance where at least one of its programs wants to use it and groups that purport to support artists' right to choose the rights associated with their work is trying to stop them from doing so.

Full post as published by Michael Geist on October 08, 2010 (boomark / email).