Patrick Rogers’ State of the Industry at Departure 2025

Music Canada CEO Sounds Off on AI, Copyright, and Canadian Content

Patrick Rogers discusses the biggest challenges and opportunities facing the global music industry.

Music Canada CEO Patrick Rogers shared his annual “State of the Industry” remarks at Departure. He addressed the impact of AI, copyright, and the future of Canadian content.

TORONTO, 2025-05-06 13:01:00 – At the Departure conference, Patrick Rogers, CEO of Music Canada, delivered his annual “State of the Industry” remarks. He also dove into the complex political shifts influencing the global music industry.

• AI’s impact on copyright is a major concern.
• Regulatory challenges for Canadian content are ongoing.
• The industry must adapt to the ever-changing landscape.

What are the key issues facing the music industry, according to Music Canada? Rogers highlighted the challenges of AI, the importance of copyright, and the need for a robust Canadian content framework.

Rogers began by thanking Randy Lennox, Jackie Dean, and Kevin Barton for the opportunity to present at Departure. He also acknowledged CMW founder Neill Dixon’s lifetime achievement award, recognizing Dixon’s decades of support for Music Canada.

Rogers stated that the industry has transformed fundamentally in the last ten years, and the acceleration of that progress appears to be speeding up all the time. He expressed excitement about the week’s events, particularly the discussions planned with Beatdapp’s Founder and Co-CEO Morgan Hayduk about AI and the participation of major labels and artists.

AI and the Battle for Copyright

Last year, Rogers discussed AI, and the journey from believing it could create music to realizing it was simply copying existing works.

Rogers noted that AI companies claim copyright is a barrier to innovation. He pointed out that the music industry is better prepared to deal with the licensing of AI than any other cultural industry. The industry has invested in the people, infrastructure, and technology to distribute and license over 100,000 new tracks daily, crediting and compensating all rightsholders.

Rogers countered claims that AI needs text and data mining exceptions because what they ingest has no value. He emphasized that consumers pay for music all the time, and AI should be no different. He urged the importance of protecting copyright, stating that it’s how artists get paid.

Rogers and Morgan Hayduk will talk more about the opportunities that AI presents. Rogers concluded that to protect creators and the human creative process, we must fight to protect copyright.

Navigating Canadian Content Regulations

Rogers then discussed a topic he felt he got wrong last year: the regulatory process following the passage of C-11. He recalled the CRTC’s Phase 1 decision, which he felt regulated streaming services like Canadian radio stations.

Rogers expressed his frustration, explaining the historical context of declining funding for the industry. He asserted that the best cultural policy incentivizes global digital platforms to invest in Canada, supporting Canadian artists and businesses. He criticized the Phase 1 decision for not recognizing the platforms’ existing contributions, which he believes will lead to less investment in Canada.

Rogers mentioned the motion to intervene at the Federal Court of Appeal on the case brought forward by the platforms. He stated that Music Canada continues to help the CRTC build the best regulatory framework for the streaming era so that Canadian and Indigenous artists can compete globally. Rogers closed by saying that the goal continues to be to help the CRTC build the best regulatory framework for the streaming era so that Canadian and Indigenous artists can compete with every song ever recorded from everywhere in the world.

Finally, Rogers introduced journalist Hannah Sung, who writes on culture for various media outlets. Together, they would discuss the results of the recent federal election and their impact.

Music Canada CEO Sounds Off: Navigating the future of the Music Industry

At the Departure conference on May 6,2025,Music Canada CEO Patrick Rogers delivered his annual “State of the Industry” remarks,addressing key challenges and opportunities. Rogers’ insights into the impact of AI, copyright concerns, and the evolving landscape of Canadian content offer a roadmap for the music industry’s future.

Core Issues Facing the Music Industry

Rogers emphasized multifaceted challenges, notably the implications of artificial intelligence, the critical importance of copyright protection, and the necessity of a robust framework for Canadian content. The industry faces ongoing regulatory hurdles and must constantly adapt.

He also spoke of the industry transformation over the past decade, which has been rapidly accelerating. This sentiment focused on the events planned during the week, especially the discussions planned with Beatdapp’s Founder and Co-CEO Morgan Hayduk.

AI’s Impact and the Fight for Copyright

Artificial intelligence’s role in music creation is a major concern. Rogers highlighted that while AI companies claim copyright is a barrier, the music industry is better prepared to address its licensing compared to other cultural sectors. The industry already handles over 100,000 new tracks daily,ensuring rightsholders are compensated.

Rogers stressed that copyright protection is essential for artists’ compensation. This includes counteracting claims that AI should be exempt from copyright considerations. AI companies claim these exemptions are for innovation, but Rogers countered that AI should follow the same rules as other content providers.

There are also opportunities that AI presents, which Rogers and Hayduk will explore further. The goal remains protecting the creators and protecting the creative process.

canadian Content regulations: Charting a Course

Rogers addressed the regulatory process following the passage of C-11, notably the CRTC’s Phase 1 decision. he explained his frustration with the historical context of declining funding for the industry and asserted that effective cultural policy should incentivize investment from global digital platforms in Canada.

However, Rogers felt that the CRTC decision failed to recognize these platforms’ existing contributions. he believes this could lead to reduced investment in Canada.Music Canada is working with the CRTC to develop the best regulatory framework for the streaming era.

Music Canada aims to help Canadian and Indigenous artists compete globally. This involves building a regulatory framework that supports their success, nonetheless of their location or the history of a song. This is critical for the long-term health and vibrancy of the music ecosystem.

Rogers then introduced journalist Hannah Sung,who would discuss the recent federal election’s results and their impact.