Something's bothering me about the RIAA

[DavidNZ]

As we know, they're pretty much against illegal copying and P2P distribution of mp3s. Revenue loss and all that.

But what puzzles me is that I can walk into town and come across several shops selling used CDs. You know the type: "We pay top dollar for your used CDs"

So, I'm guessing that these used CD shops are in no way 'officially' recording these sales? In other words, they are not registered as official sales in the eyes of record companies, correct?

Assuming this is true, why wouldn't the RIAA work to stamp out the sale of used CDs, especially when I can buy most new releases in the used bin for about 60% of what they cost new (maybe two months after they are released, admittedly, but you can certainly get them).

Why would I buy a new release when I know I can get it used a few months from now? In this scenario, they are still loosing a sale because I am chosing to buy used, are they not?

[ian]

Good point, but how many times should 'they' be allowed to milk this process? I mean, if you were to buy a new CD then sell it to me and I sell it on...etc.etc.?

Also, I think little is said to (possibly) avoid the whole thing going underground.

Taking this to extremes, why not have a sensor on each CD which can be tracked by satellite and a charge levied everytime the CD changes continent...

PS. UNO photo coming soon....

[DavidNZ]

heh - agreed. Maybe RFID tags?

I would hate to see my local used CD shop go away, don't get me wrong, but I just find the RIAA's arguments somewhat hypocritical. They're against digital copying, but seem to turn a blind eye to digital (re)distribution of the very format *they* endorse and 'protect'.

Wah hoo! Bring on the UNO pics!

[ian]

I agree with what you're saying - it seems to me that the root of the problem is that it's extremely difficult to define the point at which it all ends - I mean how many times are we supposed to pay for the priviledge of listening to music?

Oh sure it's hard for artists, especially the less well known ones, to earn a crust when some a**hole uploads their latest album onto the web and all and sundry copy it. I don't know how to 'control' this as it would seem every pre-schooler in Norway has the capacity to get around the anti-piracy software (ban Norwegians?)

Here in France we pay a tax on raw CDs to make up for this loss of earnings - this is purely hypocritical/hypothetical as we're still not allowed to copy CD's ! In fact of course, this is not totally correct - I believe we're the only country that actually allows us to make 1 'safe-guard' copy of any store bought CD (game or music)

It's a bit like car insurance really - I've two cars, but as I can only drive one at a time, why must I pay twice? I use the same reasoning for CD's - why can't a make several copies of my latest accuisition if I am to use them in different places - I can't listen to them all at once?

Of course, all this goes to pot when one of my daughters asks me to copy one of my CD's for her to listen to at Uni - am I really going to say no - go buy your own?

[BillMorrow]

allright!! youse guys..
one more car pic (link).. just ONE MORE and i will feel the need to put up my little (current) stable..

including, but not limited to, the AML1..

[BillMorrow]

As we know, they're pretty much against illegal copying and P2P distribution of mp3s. Revenue loss and all that.

But what puzzles me is that I can walk into town and come across several shops selling used CDs. You know the type: "We pay top dollar for your used CDs"**SNIPPAGE HERE**

you answer you own gripe..
RIAA wants to stop the free distribution of their copyrighted work..
not the buying and selling of the original media..

now, it could be said that the original owner made a copy and THEN sold the original while retaining he copy..
this is a big NONO.. obviously..!

what ARE the distributors, managers, producers to DO if people continue to erode their little monopoly..
my GOSH, they might be limited to only ONE mansion in only ONE city..
and maybe only ONE penthouse apartment in NYC or London..
and just one car and no more 200' motoryacht..?!

how can ANY civilized person LIVE like that..
gee, limited to a fiat UNO or last years rolls royce..!
and the artists themselves..?
we won't even GO there..

remember the fight when xerox machines came upon the scene..?
book copying and mass unpaid for distro of the printed word..
a loss of control..!
the book industry was going to collapse..

reality is new ways of doing business will emerge..

when i can d/l a tune that i want for 25 cents is when i will buy from the overindulged RIAA and their overpaid cohorts..

some of the tunes ARE compelling.. just how do i stop that tune from circling endlessly inside my head..??
perhaps i should charge the artists, et al., fof the data storage..??