Blank-CD levies ... any effect outside Canada?

[toadspittle]

http://www.globetechnology.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20040421.gtccfda0421/BNStory/Technology/

The levies imposed on blank digital media to compensate recording artists for acts of piracy could double if Canada ratifies an international copyright treaty, a coalition of interested industries warned today.

In a submission to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage, the Canadian Coalition for Fair Digital Access said that increases of up to 100 per cent on the levies are possible if Canada goes ahead with ratification of the World Intellectual Property Organization treaties.

Is the USA in on the WIPO treaty? Will we/do we already pay this levy? Should I stock up on blank CDs now?

[tisiphone]

This isn’t really an answer, but if it comforts you any, this is the reason the Canadian Supreme Court has currently ruled that the various recording industry associations can’t sue downloaders here… We pay copyright dues on the blank media, double-dipping by the recording industry is currently being Frowned Upon.