UPDATE: RIAA not suing over CD ripping, still kinda being jerks about it - Engadget
Abso-frakken-diculous needs to become a word simply to describe the utter self-defeating stupidity of the RIAA. Most modern OSs come with built-in CD ripping software (iTunes, Windows Media Player), and beyond that, there is a simple, elemental notion of ownership at stake here. Increasingly, mega-corps want to move everything to licensing (if not subscription) bases, so that we no longer own what we buy (they still want us to buy it with real money of course).
Too bad. I’m willing to pay a fair market price, and expect fair use in return. Once I personally buy it, how I personally choose to listen to it is my business. Mess with my (customers) business and risk losing your (corporate) business.
RIAA suing citizen for copying legally purchased CDs to PC - Engadget
Sure, we’ve heard RIAA-admiring lawyers affirm that ripping your own CDs is in fact “stealing,” but it seems the aforementioned entity is putting its money where its mouth is in a case against Jeffrey Howell. Reportedly, the Scottsdale, Arizona resident is being sued by the RIAA, and rather than Mr. Howell just writing a check and calling it a day, he’s fighting back in court. Interestingly, it seems that the industry is maintaining that “it is illegal for someone who has legally purchased a CD to transfer that music into their computer.” Ira Schwartz, the industry’s lawyer in the case, is arguing that MP3 files created on his computer from legally purchased CDs are indeed “unauthorized copies,” and while we’ve no idea what will become of all this, we suppose you should go on and wipe those personal copies before you too end up in handcuffs.
Cheers for the dark prince of DRM finally coming to his senses and selling proper music in MP3 format.
Jeers for playing Universal’s stupid, self-defeating game of selling only through Amazon and not giving users the option of other services, like iTunes, which could give one-stop-shop functionality for a myriad of content.
AppleInsider | Warner picks Amazon, not Apple for DRM-free debut; more
In a potentially significant move, Warner Music Group today said it has licensed its catalog to Amazon for use with its Amazon MP3 music store.
The deal is not fully explained by the music label but will include “album bundles” with tracks unavailable anywhere else, according to the two companies. Like all Amazon MP3 tracks, the songs go without digital rights management and can be copied an unlimited number of times and played back on nearly any device, including iPods.
Nice job highlighting the quasi-positive statement from his two-bit-ed-ness, but the overall message is middling. The internet needs to be treated part like terrestrial radio (where music is played for free as part of marketing), and part low-cost provision (where music, once discovered, can be purchased by those who want to own a copy).
Apply some economy of scale, and the right price (ironically, around 50 cents), and it would make volume profits and piracy more of a hassle than it’s worth…
50 Cent: File Sharing Doesn’t Hurt Artists
Q: “How are G-Unit Records doing in these times of file-sharing?“Not so good….The advances in technology impacts everyone, and we all must adapt. Most of all hip-hop, a style of music dependent upon a youthful audience. This market consists of individuals embracing innovations faster than the fans of classical and jazz music.”
“What is important for the music industry to understand is that this really doesn’t hurt the artists.”
“A young fan may be just as devout and dedicated no matter if he bought it or stole it.”
“The concerts are crowded and the industry must understand that they have to manage all the 360 degrees around an artist. They, (the industry), have to maximize their income from concerts and merchandise. It is the only way they can get their marketing money back.”
“The main problem is that the artists are not getting as much help developing as before file-sharing. They are now learning to peddle ringtones, not records.. They don’t understand the value of a perfect piece of art.”
Faster retailers, faster. Kill. Kill.
Amazon and Wal-Mart unwittingly team up against DRM
As if DRM needed more of a hint to get its coat and leave, Amazon is set to announce a promotional giveaway of one billion MP3s during next year’s Super Bowl. Billboard was first to note that this announcement signals an all-out offensive on DRM, which is made even more powerful by parallel pressures brought by Wal-Mart. In a bid for more of the digital download space, the brick-and-mortar retailer heavyweight has reportedly given an ultimatum to some of the largest record labels, including Warner Music Group and Sony BMG Music Entertainment, to provide more of their respective music catalogs in MP3 format (that is, without DRM) next year.
I take it back, maybe some of them ARE starting to “get it”. Interestingly, EMI was the first to ditch DRM as well…
Report: EMI looking to slash funding for RIAA, IFPI
One of the Big Four labels is apparently unhappy with its return on investment when it comes to funding industry trade groups such as the IFPI and RIAA. British label EMI, which was recently purchased by a private equity fund, is reportedly considering a significant cut to the amount of money it provides the trade groups on an annual basis.
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