"Even if file-swapping networks were to magically disappear, the traditional revenue models would still be under strain."

That's the conclusion of a new white paper which points out that where the recording industry has, "historically been able to sell consumers the same piece of music multiple times by repackaging it and introducing new, improved mediums" today, "Digital music allows consumers to repackage music themselves and negates the need to upgrade formats."

Having so far failed to adapt to today's digital environment, record companies should offer a free music-on-demand service, "which would rely on advertising revenue, rather than pursuing legal actions that ultimately ignore the realities of today's entertainment market," says John Barrett, an analyst with Parks Associates, a marketing and research firm.

my gosh does that mean that they actually have to have some type of creativity in order to make and sell music now? heaven forbid.

How much are you willing to bet that the RIAA, in its usual smug, sneering arrogance, will cavalierly dismiss this finding out-of-hand?

very true, they'll say.... "What does a marketing and researh firm know about marketing"

It's not about marketing, or money today. It's about CONTROL of music content. If they win this round, they may gain complete control over "pop" music. Once this happens, who knows what kind of controls and pricing they can put on "their" product.

The RIAA already knows this. They just want to do things thier way. Even if it brings them down. Adapt or die, like the dinosours.

It's not just about CONTROL of music content. It's alos about elimination of competition (independents). Which likewise allows them to price their "product" at will. Of course, this is illegal, but no one in our government gives a damn.

We must respond in the only language greedy bastards understand.... MONEY.

BOYCOTT-RIAA... do not buy ANYTHING from them.

My favorite quote from Cary-Sue was during the ho-hum hearings. When asked about a music tax his reply was to the effect of no other medium is doing it, why should we. That is their thinking as of now.

I wait for the future book where Cary-sue says he was sad for the 12 year old and "really hated to sue everyone" and now he regrets it. What a world we live in.

It's not about marketing, or money today. It's about CONTROL of music content. and with artist making it using the internet (BElive it or not Michelle Branch did it) and by passing the record industry, makes it a scary world for the RIAA because they will no longer be needed.

Free music content supported by advertising revenue? Isn't that the radio?

I noticed that there seem to be lots of used CDs available. It could be that rough times are making people sell off their collections, but some may have decided to rip their CDs and sell off their physical copy. Anyway this sue the consumer idea is going to kill off sales in a major way. I can't believe they could be so dumb.

Used CDs and piracy are minor factors in the currentl sales crisis the RIAA is suffering. The main reason through is competition from other forms of entertainment. The money which would have been spent on CDs is now spent on DVDs and console games. Much higher percieved value. Much higher percieved value. A film provides good entertainment for one to two hours. A game entertains for weeks, at least if the player doesn't get stuck faceing a boss with ten health and just two bullets left. And TV of course allows anyone to forget the bordom of reality for hours at a time.

For good evidence, look at sales of books, particually with teenagers. Teenagers now just dont read. Its uncool, yes, but its also much easier to watch TV or a movie. A book entertains for weeks (unless your me, when it entertains for hours). Its cheaper than music. Its suffering very little from internet piracy because reading from a screen isn't as comfortable for most people, yet sales are falling and have been for years. Because people are spending more of their entertainment money on films and games. Given a choice between a famously good book and a equally popular film, they choose the film, even if the DVD is three times the price. The percieved value of music is only slightly above that of books with teenagers, and considerably below books with adults. If books arn't selling, what chance does music have?

The Sue 'em All campaign was created ouf of desperation. While piracy isn't the only reason sales are falling, its definatly contributeing to some extent, and its going to get much worse as more ex-consumers get broadband and with the increased popularity copying becomes more popular and convenient. It has the potential to destroy the entire music industry, and the RIAA is terrified. They tried sueing the p2p networks, they tried public "education" campaigns, they tried TV adverts with anti-piracy messages, Disney even made an anti-napster cartoon, yet piracy continued to rise. The RIAA paniced. They had to do something, and had tried everything else.

The only thing the RIAA isn't likely to try is abandoning its current business model (music as a physical product, a plastic and aluminium disc) and considering music as data. This is partially because the luddite executives dont understand the concept of data, but mostly just the view that anything thats been makeing a profit for so long should be left as it is, and the world changed to fit their old business model instead of changeing the model to fit the changeing world.

The RIAA hates p2p and the advent of technology because it is now rightfully and thank god finally in the hands of the people. The RIAA does not want competition. That is the whole taco folks!

Shmoo, of Electric Gypsy
http://electricgypsy.iuma.com

I am suprised that Clear Channel and the RIAA aren't just jumping over themselves for this one. Isn't that pretty much where music is today on the radio?

No one ever explained to me why it is legal to copy a radio recording but not a mp3. Neither has great quality. Somehow the RIAA and cohorts think that the dollar is the solution to everything, as long as they can collect it for each song. I for one say that the price of one dollar for an mp3 is outrageous, even without the DMCA attached to it.