No one has provided ANY proof whatsoever that the CRIA copyright levy charged on blank CD's has ever made it in to the hands of any artist. Note: most times the levy's actually cost MORE than the media themselves!
Where is the proof that artists are being compensated?
I would bet my right nut that the CRIA is keeping the money for themselves, paying themselves grossly excessive salaries and using the money to pay for expensive luxurious business trips, etc.
I urge all Canadians reading this to write their local Member of Parliament to investigate the money trail for the CRIA copyright level to find out where the money's been going since 1998.
Like the RIAA is ever going to care about common sense but what the heck...
The RIAA should just allow artists to promote some of their music for free. In fact they should allow them to promote their music through .bittorent so this way they are showing that artists and the RIAA are "hip" and open to digital sharing technology.
If the RIAA took the stance that they ARE offering things for free and ARE embracing technology this would certainly ease some/most of the tension between pirates from hating and boycotting them.
They could use the free samples to promote their albums that contain bonus content such as enveloping 5.1 surround sound audio, 3D music videos and all kinds of frilly little things. I could see autographed or "limited edition" CD's or DVD's being high prized big sellers. They could also track torrent usage and find out where to market their products by country/location.
"Create" buzz and stories about how "oh no it leaked!" and the capitalize it. Let the publicity promote music and artists. Get people talking about it. Controversy and shock still sells even though you have to think of new and creative ways to make things more interesting every year.
Let fans promote the music on Youtube limiting it to microphone captured audio only. Let the RIAA and artists give their blessings on this type of free promotion. If people really want to download it let them, but let everyone know that by buying CD or DVD's that they contain bonus content, videos and other kinds of things that allow fans to feel like they are closer to the artist.
Make customers feel "special" again. Make them feel like they are getting something important and unique from the artists that they idolize and adore. I remember when I was a preteen and having and holding my first Michael Jackson Thriller album and how it made me feel like I had a special connection to his music. Times and things have changed, but young and impressionable fans have not. They want to feel a special connection to music and artists.
Have the artists THANK pirates for helping promote them. This publicity can go a long way in the eyes of consumers.
DO NOT under ANY circumstance sue music fans. This is what is driving paying music fans away. Embrace them, embrace piracy and create new ways to sell innovative content.
I know if artists started selling enveloping 5.1 surround sound audio tracks and 3D videos i'd buy it. I already have a fully digital 7.1 surround sound system and massive HD TV. In terms of music and video enjoyment there is nothing out there yet that full takes advantage of all of today's technology.
If the RIAA doesn't want to evolve or adapt or listen to new ideas, then it's their fault for their own negative financial demise. Good riddance because eventually one day someone else will think up something that will fully eploit the digital experience and offer something that consumers actually want to pay for. Until then, the RIAA can go f*ck themselves.
Several years ago I operated a small independent income tax preparation booth in a mall. I ran a modest operation and I had the big name competition booths not very far from me, including a volunteer operated free income tax service for seniors.
I personally never felt threatened by the competition. In fact I felt it was great that due to competition it kept our prices down and the customers were the winners. I certainly never saw the free income tax service as a threat to my business.
As time progressed I noticed the long line ups outside the free senior service. They were standing in long lineups for long periods and I felt bad for them. Both of my parents are deceased so I have a soft spot for seniors. I had steady business and was making money, but I decided I could no longer tolerate seeing seniors with their canes and walkers standing around in long line ups. I did have some free time to spare to help out.
I began to offer completely free service to seniors. What I found was that most of them were actually willing to pay me, so instead I made my services free or by donation. They were incredibly grateful and pleased with my desire to offer my services for free to the senior community.
Word got out very quickly. I had so many seniors coming in either asking for free service, were only able to pay a few dollars and some were even willing to pay me more than what my actual rates were. In addition, they sent ALL of their family members to me as full paying customers all of whom were incredibly grateful for helping out their parents and grandparents.
By mere fluke I created an entirely new kind of business based on reputation alone by offering free service. I closed down all of my for-profit competition, and I even had the volunteers from the free income tax service coming in and shaking my hand and thanking me for helping them out.
Did I feel guilty about closing my "for-profit" competition? No. They failed to adapt their own business model due to their own selfish greed and unwillingness to help those who were not privileged enough to afford their service. Did they hate me? I'm sure they did. This reminds me of exactly how the RIAA operates.
That is what happened when I offered my services for free. I actually earned more money than anyone else. In the following year, the mall knew about what a great thing I was doing for seniors so instead of charging me the $1,000 a week rent they only charged me $1,000 for the entire tax season.
It's amazing how offering something for free can become so profitable.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by BruceLD.
calling the pot black
Where is the proof that artists are being compensated?
I would bet my right nut that the CRIA is keeping the money for themselves, paying themselves grossly excessive salaries and using the money to pay for expensive luxurious business trips, etc.
I urge all Canadians reading this to write their local Member of Parliament to investigate the money trail for the CRIA copyright level to find out where the money's been going since 1998.
Let's find out who the real thieves are!!
Stop making sense...!
The RIAA should just allow artists to promote some of their music for free. In fact they should allow them to promote their music through .bittorent so this way they are showing that artists and the RIAA are "hip" and open to digital sharing technology.
If the RIAA took the stance that they ARE offering things for free and ARE embracing technology this would certainly ease some/most of the tension between pirates from hating and boycotting them.
They could use the free samples to promote their albums that contain bonus content such as enveloping 5.1 surround sound audio, 3D music videos and all kinds of frilly little things. I could see autographed or "limited edition" CD's or DVD's being high prized big sellers. They could also track torrent usage and find out where to market their products by country/location.
"Create" buzz and stories about how "oh no it leaked!" and the capitalize it. Let the publicity promote music and artists. Get people talking about it. Controversy and shock still sells even though you have to think of new and creative ways to make things more interesting every year.
Let fans promote the music on Youtube limiting it to microphone captured audio only. Let the RIAA and artists give their blessings on this type of free promotion. If people really want to download it let them, but let everyone know that by buying CD or DVD's that they contain bonus content, videos and other kinds of things that allow fans to feel like they are closer to the artist.
Make customers feel "special" again. Make them feel like they are getting something important and unique from the artists that they idolize and adore. I remember when I was a preteen and having and holding my first Michael Jackson Thriller album and how it made me feel like I had a special connection to his music. Times and things have changed, but young and impressionable fans have not. They want to feel a special connection to music and artists.
Have the artists THANK pirates for helping promote them. This publicity can go a long way in the eyes of consumers.
DO NOT under ANY circumstance sue music fans. This is what is driving paying music fans away. Embrace them, embrace piracy and create new ways to sell innovative content.
I know if artists started selling enveloping 5.1 surround sound audio tracks and 3D videos i'd buy it. I already have a fully digital 7.1 surround sound system and massive HD TV. In terms of music and video enjoyment there is nothing out there yet that full takes advantage of all of today's technology.
If the RIAA doesn't want to evolve or adapt or listen to new ideas, then it's their fault for their own negative financial demise. Good riddance because eventually one day someone else will think up something that will fully eploit the digital experience and offer something that consumers actually want to pay for. Until then, the RIAA can go f*ck themselves.
I gave away free service...
I personally never felt threatened by the competition. In fact I felt it was great that due to competition it kept our prices down and the customers were the winners. I certainly never saw the free income tax service as a threat to my business.
As time progressed I noticed the long line ups outside the free senior service. They were standing in long lineups for long periods and I felt bad for them. Both of my parents are deceased so I have a soft spot for seniors. I had steady business and was making money, but I decided I could no longer tolerate seeing seniors with their canes and walkers standing around in long line ups. I did have some free time to spare to help out.
I began to offer completely free service to seniors. What I found was that most of them were actually willing to pay me, so instead I made my services free or by donation. They were incredibly grateful and pleased with my desire to offer my services for free to the senior community.
Word got out very quickly. I had so many seniors coming in either asking for free service, were only able to pay a few dollars and some were even willing to pay me more than what my actual rates were. In addition, they sent ALL of their family members to me as full paying customers all of whom were incredibly grateful for helping out their parents and grandparents.
By mere fluke I created an entirely new kind of business based on reputation alone by offering free service. I closed down all of my for-profit competition, and I even had the volunteers from the free income tax service coming in and shaking my hand and thanking me for helping them out.
Did I feel guilty about closing my "for-profit" competition? No. They failed to adapt their own business model due to their own selfish greed and unwillingness to help those who were not privileged enough to afford their service. Did they hate me? I'm sure they did. This reminds me of exactly how the RIAA operates.
That is what happened when I offered my services for free. I actually earned more money than anyone else. In the following year, the mall knew about what a great thing I was doing for seniors so instead of charging me the $1,000 a week rent they only charged me $1,000 for the entire tax season.
It's amazing how offering something for free can become so profitable.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by BruceLD.
Submit a story now.
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