Okay, so October goes. Does this mean that we should stop link(www.dmusic.com/news/news.php?id=5816,boycotting the RIAA)? I don’t think so. Not quite yet. Personally, I will be continuing my little protest right through November; perhaps the rest of the year. I will continue to help show Hilary Rosen and her band of merry thieves that I will not be taken for a ride, be treated like a second-class citizen by her organization, contribute to the mistreatment of artists, nor, as I often like to say, help finance more pinstripes on the Jaguars.

But does this also mean that we should stop enjoying pristine copies of our favorite music if we should so desire? I am happy to report that the answer here is a firm no. “Should we steal it, milla?” Yes, walk into your local record store, pick up several copies of all your favorite albums, and walk out without paying. ...Just kidding; don’t try this at home. However, a nice legal way for us to bring home cd’s of a desired major-label album while still refraining from feeding the beast is to simply buy...

Used.

Let’s face it, not everyone in the world is buying into our boycott. It’s a wonderful cause, but we’re a vocal minority. Honestly, most people don’t even think about exactly where it is their money goes when they slap down fifteen/twenty bucks on a new album. The supply of previously played albums is plentiful. If we buy from the many stores around the civilized world that specialize in buying and reselling albums that have been already played, then our money is going nowhere other than the store itself (and, of course, the government, which then receives sales tax a second time on a single item, but that’s another article on another site).

Think about it. An album bought used has been, by most definitions, bought before. The first time it was bought, it had a cellophane wrapper, security stickers, and was most likely distributed to the store by a label or a wholesaler. A portion of the money paid by the consumer for the new album goes to the RIAA so that they may divide it appropriately among their lawyers, pinstripes, masseuses, salmon, etc. Then, if there’s anything left over as dictated by contracts, the artists get paid their pittance. Of course, it’s a little more link(www.negativland.com/albini.html,complicated) than this.

However, when an album is bought used, no royalties are collected or distributed. No money is sent from the store to the RIAA. Nada. Pretty cool, huh? We can collect much of the music we want without making the cow any fatter. It’s the same equation as with a used foreign automobile. Buy it new and you’re fueling the foreign economy; buy it used and you’re fueling your own. The damage has been done already by the original purchase, but your purchase circulates money locally (again, except for the sales tax).

Buying used does have both pros and cons, though. First and foremost, buying used means the artist receives zero royalties from your purchase. This is not an easy point to grapple with. We want artists to be compensated for their output when we buy a copy of it. Some consolation comes in the knowledge that the album was already bought once and that the artist has been paid (on paper, at least) for the sold copy as stated in their contract. And, if we wish -- and this is my favorite concept -- we can send our money directly to the artist via someplace like link(www.fairtunes.com/,Fairtunes).

Another point some folks have a difficult time with is the idea of buying a used copy of music. Although I have a difficult time imagining that there are still apprehensions in this day and age, many people still assume that recorded music loses dynamic range or adds background noise the more it’s played. The sound on a compact disc does not degrade over time, as does a vinyl record. Play it as often as you like without loss of quality. Ahhh, the benefits of going digital.

One complaint people have about buying strictly used is that they must often wait days, weeks, or perhaps months for the album they want to turn up in the bin. Oh well. Patience is a virtue, my friends. If you really want it, you’ll find it sooner or later. Newly released albums tend to show up in the used bin rather quickly anyway, and that’s what most people seek. If something a bit more obscure is what you seek, there’s always publications like link(www.krause.com/records/gm/,Goldmine) that can help.

Whatever you do, don’t buy new. That’s my credo for the coming days regarding labels associated with the RIAA (since buying new is fine with me if the label is not associated).

Used record stores began showing up in the world’s strip malls en masse during the second half of the 1970’s when some now-forgotten person got the bright idea that there’d be a giant market for it. At the time, if an album bought new cost $5.99, the used copy usually fetched between $.99 and $3.99, depending on the condition of and demand for the unit. Today, these same stores sell used cd’s, also for a fraction of the price if bought new. However, today, prices are not usually swayed by condition; just demand. ...and perhaps greed. A new cd averages $16.99, but the used copy can be found costing anywhere from $11.99 on down. I’ve found in the past some real bargains missing artwork or something for a buck or two.

But I digress. How do Hilary and the boys feel about used record stores? My guess is that they have little if no problem with them. I’m guessing that because they were in complete control of the manufactured copy, they’re okay with it changing hands for a price an indefinite amount of times. I mean, after all, the one copy means that only one person can possess it at a time. Come on, we’re all pretty sure that this is how they think, and it’s just one of the many ways that show how the RIAA is in it for the pinstripes much more than they are for the fair appropriations of business practices or whatever their mission on this planet was originally intended to be.

My opinion is that if they had much insight at all, they would see used record stores as a threat tremendously bigger than any peer-to-peer file sharing technology. I theorize that without the stores selling used records, sales of new copies would rise dramatically, since that used copy would cease to be available. We’re talking here about a consumer who’s already in the store seeking the album. Given the option between new or used, most (if not all) people would choose the less expensive identical item. Take away that store option, and guess what happens. The majority of folks will go new. They want the album, as is evidenced by their presence in the store.

This sort of puts things in a awkward perspective, doesn’t it? The RIAA loses millions and millions of dollars each year to used sales, yet they continue to spend millions each month in their crusade to halt that which helps expose their artists to new listeners. Sounds to me as if the RIAA could be perceived of here as actually working against their artists! And their stance is inspired by the misguided ideal that each copy should represent one sale of one unit to one possessor. Product. Is it any wonder that reported sales are down since Napster’s demise, especially after 2000, a record year for record link(www.dmusic.com/news/news.php?id=3772,sales)?

Don’t get me wrong here, though. Please understand that I am in no way advocating a new mission to close down the world’s used record stores. I love them. I always have. And, despite some real freaky people who ask astronomically exorbitant prices for some out of print packages, they will always have a place on my shopping list. I just wanted to point out the RIAA’s illogic in all of this. They’ve got things so bassackward that not only will they never kill p2p, but we can even still buy perfect copies of major-label albums while continuing our efforts to link(boycott-riaa.com/,boycott) them! Go figure.

YOU ARE RIGHT!!
Is there a list of Used CD places on the net? (Half.com is probably a good bet (now on Ebay).

How about the possibilty of buying a new cd and burning a cd and then returning it?

Another Good place is called Second Spin. Specializes in Used CDs, Movies and DVDs. Good selection, stores in CA and Denver. Online Ordering. http://www.secondspin.com/index.cfm?From=sd-20834

I normally don't buy used CDs...well, I normally don't buy CDs. Come to think of it, the last time I bought a CD was back in about March. I didn't intend to boycott, but not enough good music that's actually worth buying has come out lately.

Anyhow, good point milla. If and when I decide to buy a CD, it'll be a used CD. Hell, I already buy used DVDs, why not used CDs? I've been rather lucky with used DVDs. Out of the 50 or so movies I own, about 10 of them are used and not one of them had a scratch on it when I bought it. So technically, I bought a 'new' movie at a used price

-Frawg-

Two options: 1. Burn CDs 2. Buy used

~Heidi

There are several pawn shops in my area that sell good used discs 1.00-5.00 much quicker than downloading! Milla you have a great idea. I used to find lots of rare discs among them as well which I used to resell on ebay for more than what I paid. Come to think about it..check ebay you can find lots of cheap used discs there as well.

Some people in the industry, including artists, have a problem with used recordings and the lack of getting a cut. But thankfully, most don't. And first sale doctrine protects the process.

So far , first sale protects the process. The RIAA now is going to start licensing the music to you the way microsoft does. Watch, its already starting to happen in cyberspace with pressplay and musicnet

mp3.net...check it out>?????

preach on brutha

Thanx. half.com is excellent.

Problem here is that most retailers selling new media will not give cash refunds. In fact, most will allow an exchange only for the exact same item.

Second Spin's another good one. Actually, there are tons of places on the net, some w/fewer selections but strength in selective genres. The easiest way to find a list'd be to go to your favorite search engine and enter "used records, "used albums," "used [genre] albums," "used singles," etc. ...basically, "used [whatever]." Lotsa hits. Gotta stay wary of unscrupulous sites, tho.

"...but not enough good music that's actually worth buying has come out lately." Hmm. I guess that would depend on perspective. I'm relatively happy w/the current state of the music I listen to, and have no gripes at all w/the consistent flow of new songs and talent that pass thru my eardrums. And I feel it just keeps gettin' better all the time. Maybe it's the genre. I know I haven't craved too much lately from rock or pop; perhaps a few old favorites w/new releases. ...but otherwise, I'm a happy camper.

Re the dvd's: Exactly. It's the same thing, from vhs/pal to dvd. I know several places that also deal in used tape, but digital ro0lz, of course.

..and yes, many places fully guarantee the quality of what they sell. I've seen many stores turn away in-demand digital media w/so much as a light scuff.

Absolutely! Burning cd's (and dvd's) bought by friends and especially public libraries is an excellent source for collecting. Thing is if we want the artwork, we'll need a scanner, too.

that's correct. because dl'ing whole albums (and perhaps finding the artwork) can be a real chore w/56k, going used becomes extremely pragmatic.

Yup, I've seen a few messages on albums stating that if the unit you're buying is used, promotional, a cut-out, etc., the artists, songwriters, nor publishers receive compensation. ..or sump'm to that effect.

I think this raises some interesting questions. Should First Sale be amended to allow the artists to get a second stipend from the same digital copy? Couldn't the fact that digital recordings don't deteriorate make them exempt from the doctrine? If the riaa and the labels weren't to make out like bandits, i'd be all in favor. In fact, I'd go so far as to speculate that if this were to happen, only the riaa and the labels would make out.

Yup, they actually have been doin' it for years on land, and like you say, it's beginning to spawn in space. Will the masses buy into it ya think?

Yes. Flea markets are an awesome source for used copies. Terrific suggestion. Another, like someone said earlier, is perhaps pawn shops. I've seen'em turn up in places like electronics stores, dollar stores, car trunks, and very often the organized but temporary "record shows" that continually pop up all over. Used records turn up in some of the weirdest places sometimes. heh

Thanx man.

The Boycott has to be extended to ARTISTS!!! Thats where we can really hurt them.

I think I disagree. I mean, I agree that only when artists start finding ways to get their fair compensation will they stop looking to the major labels for their big breaks. However, I am in no way in favor of withholding pay from an artist. My beef is w/the industry, not the artists. Yes, by boycotting the RIAA, we're boycotting by proxy the majority of signed artists, but such are the casualties of the endeavor.

Boycotting all artists is not the answer, tho. I think showing them alternate means of getting compensated is. Most artists aren't even signed to a major label. I believe this sorta give us a head start.