Canadian Recording Industry Association Publishes Clarification of Comments

Toronto, ON--The Canadian Recording Industry Association ("CRIA") has published the following statement on their Association website:

"In an article published in The Globe and Mail on May 11, 2004 entitled, "Downloaders backing off, study says", comments on a recent study by Ipsos-Reid Corporation ("Ipsos-Reid") were attributed to Canadian Recording Industry Association President, Brian Robertson. Mr. Robertson's comments were not intended to criticize the scientific quality or integrity of Ipsos-Reid's studies, nor should they have been taken as such. Mr. Robertson's comments were intended to reflect Mr. Robertson's concern that a study of music downloading should include younger persons. The study in question was expressly limited to adults by Ipsos-Reid. Mr. Robertson has the highest respect for Ipsos-Reid, and he regrets any inconvenience that may have resulted from a misinterpretation of his comments."

The Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA) is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of Canadian companies that create, manufacture and market sound recordings. CRIA's membership includes the major record companies, leading independent labels, and all manufacturers of compact discs and tapes. In all they represent 95 per cent of the sound recordings that are manufactured and sold in Canada.

"We are pleased with the clarification issued by Mr. Robertson." said Mr. Chris Fereyhough, Vice President in Ipsos-Reid's Calgary office who was responsible for the study that was published on May 11, 2004. The study is publicly available at http://www.ipsos-na.com/news/pressrelease.cfm?id=2229 .

"Both Mr. Robertson and the CIRA are held in great esteem and we appreciate their timely response to clarify the record." Mr. Fereyhough said. Please open the attached document to view the PDF version of the clarification document.

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For more information on this news release, please contact:

John Wright
Senior Vice-President
Ipsos-Reid Public Affairs
(416) 324-2900