Every now and again I check on news about my vice - allofmp3. I just noticed there a number of blog threads hosted by allofmp3.com. Some of the things recently discussed include:
- The actual cost of producing CDs
- The decreased value of your music collection when DRM (digital rights management) is being enforced
- The controversial blocking of allofmp3.com by Visa and Danish ISPs - what line does this start to cross ?
3 comments:
I've said it before, and I will say it again. The only people who got rich from CD sales are the production executives themselves. The purchasing of music in CD form has been a sham almost since its inception in the mid 80's.
It was promised back then that the cost of a CD would drop, but it has not, even in the face of a new consumer understanding of the process. DVD's are generally cheaper than music CD's. Perhaps this is because the majority of profit for a movie comes from the box office, but isn't that also true about music?
A few good friends of mine who make their livings as musicians have always noted that the royalty they receive from CD sales isn't enough to buy their cigerettes each week (and this isn't necessarily because they are not selling). Their living is made touring, as with most bands. The more people exposed to a band increases the attendies at a gig and the money in the bands pocket, not the pockets of the greedy production labels that have been raking it in for FAR to long!
Spread the music, share the music, buy a few songs, and get people interested in bands, not labels.
One last thought. The purchasing power of the public has been used far too long as a method of determining "quality" in music, which would explain why stella bands like Wilco and The Shins have to fight to not be dropped by their labels, and the boy bands litter the stores. Imagine if the same process was used in determining wine quality! What crappy bottle would you be drinking at dinner tonight!
Dick
I've heard your comments before Bro and I'm glad you haven't changed your point of view. I feel better now !
What I didn't say on the post really was my view on the subject - just a few teasers that gave you a clue on my thoughts.
I don't like the DRM aspects of legit downloading. As someone said it's like buying a CD then having someone come into your home in a few years and take it back - that would be kind of annoying, wouldn't it?).
I don't feel that I'm taking (a lot) of money out of the pockets of the artists. however, taking money away from the middleman label may indirectly have some impact - less funding for new artist promotions, funding of concert tours, etc.
It's an interesting fine line on the ISP blocking thing. One side of me says that I don't think it's the business of ISPs to get in the middle of the open global marketplace. The other side of me says that there probably should be some audit/control on cross-border "shopping". I think you had a lot to say on this topic a while back Bro ! Hey, I wouldn't mind paying a small import tax on my purchases if that opens the world's shopping bonanza a little more !
For credit card companies, maybe they have some part to play if there are legit concerns of efraud.
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