The RIAA just doesn’t get it
The Washington Post has a rather interesting article on the RIAA’s increasingly inane perceptions and
actions regarding digital music.
Now, in an unusual case in which an Arizona recipient of an RIAA letter has fought back in court rather than write a check to avoid hefty legal fees, the industry is taking its argument against music sharing one step further: In legal documents in its federal case against Jeffrey Howell, a Scottsdale, Ariz., man who kept a collection of about 2,000 music recordings on his personal computer, the industry maintains that it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into his computer…
RIAA’s hard-line position seems clear. Its Web site says: “If you make unauthorized copies of copyrighted music recordings, you’re stealing. You’re breaking the law and you could be held legally liable for thousands of dollars in damages.”
I’m not seeing the logic in this argument. In fact, the major labels as a whole just don’t seem to get it. The music world as a whole is evolving. Artists and consumers both realize this and have responded accordingly. Why do you think we’ve seen more and more bands willing to give away recorded material for practically nothing? Fans still pay for tickets and go to shows, and that’s where musicians make the majority of their money. Thus, in reality, only the labels are really suffering. Yet in response, instead of adapting, they are alienating. It’s gotten to the point that these labels are just one big joke, who would seem more content with bankruptcy then consumer satisfaction Though I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know…
Bob Lefsetz recently expressed a similar sentiment. As did Resonator and The Sho ‘Nuff.
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It’s all a double edge sword. Downloading helps spread the word, but bands may not being seeing as much success as they perhaps should. I’ve heard both sides of the argument and it’s certainly complicated.
With that being said, I do believe that what I posted above is ultimately true.
Thanks for the kind words.
Thus, in reality, only the labels are really suffering.
Not strictly true; as you probably know, the most tech-savvy music heads often coincidentally happen to have a keen interest in underground/independent/unsigned acts. I know people have copied our band’s cd for example (totally unsigned), and I’ve even found the entire album indexed for free download on a music blog (500+ downloads). I only occasionally buy cds at gigs though, so I’d be a hippocrite if I was totally against it. Still, wouldn’t mind quitting the stupid fucking day-job at some stage…
RIAA moguls and their related sub-human middlemen minions fear their leech money is under threat obviously, but quite often smaller artists do take more of a hit. Parasites have a knack of sticking around don’t you know….
Nice post anyways, and keep up the good work on the site in general. happy new year!