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Piracy lawsuits and RIAA
Jul. 1st, 2003 12:03 amI have actual specific type things regarding what is currently going on, and about to happen, wit hthe RIAA's plans to go after and sue the consumer.
According to the article in Billboard's July 5th issue they are ONLY going after those who upload copywritten material, ie those who make music available to others. They will NOT be going after those who only downlaod. The RIAA is hoping that a "scared straight" scenario will go into effect for casual users and has no fears regarding the public relations implications of targeting minors who are uploading. it talks about the Dept. of Justice and the FBI getting involved through a new bill being put through : Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2003, HR 2570. The Dept. of Homeland Secutiry is also getting involved.
So uploading is now a terrorist act? Who knew. It remains to be seen how much of an effect his will have on the practice. I do know that all of the various P2P networks had their traffic drop by up to half on Wednesday when this was announced. Most have gone back up, but not yet to previous levels.
Personally, I am of the mind if you give the consumer a product that is worth the cost (not like a Linkin Park Cd that's 35 minutes long and retails at 18.99) they will purchase it. I, for one, think a dollar a song, plus 2-3 bucks for packaging and artwork is adequate. This means that a CD with 12 tracks should retail for 14.99. Now the manufacturer, artists and distributors make their moiney from the retailers, so if a retailer sells product at a discount it doesn't hurt the artist at all. if you sell more copies at a lower price point you creat a value that is greater than fewer at higher. Especially as most charts track units sold.
As a retailer I feel that the labels need to rethink their strategies, I like the practice that some labels are using, introducing new artists at lower prices (Jason Mraz, Lillix, John Harris, the Thorns, etc) but it needs to be put more into practice. The aforementioned linkin Park CD hit big, but dropped very very quickly. Most of my customers looked at the price and laughed.
I'm rambling now. Will shut up.
According to the article in Billboard's July 5th issue they are ONLY going after those who upload copywritten material, ie those who make music available to others. They will NOT be going after those who only downlaod. The RIAA is hoping that a "scared straight" scenario will go into effect for casual users and has no fears regarding the public relations implications of targeting minors who are uploading. it talks about the Dept. of Justice and the FBI getting involved through a new bill being put through : Piracy Deterrence and Education Act of 2003, HR 2570. The Dept. of Homeland Secutiry is also getting involved.
So uploading is now a terrorist act? Who knew. It remains to be seen how much of an effect his will have on the practice. I do know that all of the various P2P networks had their traffic drop by up to half on Wednesday when this was announced. Most have gone back up, but not yet to previous levels.
Personally, I am of the mind if you give the consumer a product that is worth the cost (not like a Linkin Park Cd that's 35 minutes long and retails at 18.99) they will purchase it. I, for one, think a dollar a song, plus 2-3 bucks for packaging and artwork is adequate. This means that a CD with 12 tracks should retail for 14.99. Now the manufacturer, artists and distributors make their moiney from the retailers, so if a retailer sells product at a discount it doesn't hurt the artist at all. if you sell more copies at a lower price point you creat a value that is greater than fewer at higher. Especially as most charts track units sold.
As a retailer I feel that the labels need to rethink their strategies, I like the practice that some labels are using, introducing new artists at lower prices (Jason Mraz, Lillix, John Harris, the Thorns, etc) but it needs to be put more into practice. The aforementioned linkin Park CD hit big, but dropped very very quickly. Most of my customers looked at the price and laughed.
I'm rambling now. Will shut up.
