This issue is just... so sad to me. As I've said in the other RIAA topics, it's sad what the RIAA is trying to do to make up for lost sales. They believe that p2p networks are the
only reason that sales are lagging, and rather than target the shoplifters, the pirates that sell things on the street, the million-file mp3 servers... instead, it's poor Jimmy with his "whopping" 8 songs! Oh no! The industry's ruined!
Geez... get a life! I think that analogy that AyuRocks pointed out is perfect for how this is all viewed as:
Quote:
|
I like how they also try to equate this to stealing the CD from a store- If you get caught stealing a CD, you get charged with shoplifting- you don't get fined $2,000,000 (13 songs X $150,000 ea.)
|
They'd go after someone with 8 songs and charge him $150,000 for each songs??? WTF! That really angers me to see that some kid who goes to a store and steals a CD isn't "a big deal", but having an mp3 is equal to... having something like marijuana! I don't even think that marijuana users have such a stiff penalty as this! I'm angry at this not because of the idea of "going after offenders", but the "targets" they're going after makes no sense at all! And the "charge" they're setting on people... $750-$150,000?? Sure... let me go write out a check to the
greediest people in America!!
Quote:
|
The recent success of Apple's iTunes Music Store may be the best news the industry has had lately. Since iTunes was launched in late April, it has sold more than 5 million songs for ninety-nine cents apiece - even more impressive considering that Mac users constitute less than four percent of computer owners. "iTunes has shown that there is a real business potential for selling downloads," says a source at Warner Bros. "It has been encouraging from a symbolic standpoint even more than a financial standpoint." Amazon.com and other online retailers now plan to launch their own download programs.
|
At least Mac users are smart about this issue. The makers of iTunes actually saw a profitable market for mp3s, and for 99 cents each (a bit high when ordering 20+ songs), it's not really a bad idea. And like the topic about finding a solution, the RIAA shouldn't punish mp3s to be the
only reason sales are lagging, but instead, mp3s seem worse than stealing a car!
So beware, everyone, because at the moment, you are a bigger target than druglords and shoplifters!
:music