The Laughing Wolf

Some Thoughts On The RIAA

I have been watching, reading, and trying to develop all the facts I can on the RIAA and its anti-piracy efforts. My thoughts towards the jackbooted brown-shirt wannabes are not good. I have no use for those who would attack a 12-year-old girl over “If You Are Happy and You Know It” or other ‘huge’ violators of the public good.

Yes, music piracy is a problem, but is this really the way to go about fighting it?

The tactics chosen are reprehensible, irresponsible, and will ultimately do far more damage to the music industry than anything the small-time pirates could ever dream of doing. It has also brought some light on some things that bear scrutiny before they can scurry off into the dark.

First, the issue of free music within the industry has been rather thoroughly documented by multiple sources. They hate anyone outside the industry having anything for free, but within the industry it is apparently no problem. Not even the large amounts of free music to executives and such is a problem, but one little girl is. Right.

This does raise a few issues and questions. First, it would appear that the free music within the industry is a benefit, and a rather substantial one. Someone receiving hundreds of free CDs over the course of a year is getting a substantial benefit. Let’s say the average number is just 100. Reasonable number, though it may well be low based on some of the reports. At $18.00 a CD, that makes it $1,800.00 worth of extra compensation.

Now, I am sure that these are all being properly declared on W-2s, 1099s, and such for if they did not do so then it would be in violation of IRS regulations. After all, the entire argument put forward by the RIAA to justify its assault based on everyone paying their fair share and monies going to the greater good. Taxes are the same, so they should be eager to make sure that there is no tax piracy going on here.

I am also sure that there is proper and sufficient documentation of all transfers between companies and other entities, such that there are no violations of the various anti-trust statutes and RICO laws. After all, I am sure that they are staunchly upholding all laws, rules, and regulations just as they demand others do.

Yeah, right. And I have about as much faith that Congress or appropriate agencies are going to investigate this as I do that Teddy Kennedy is a teetotaler.

So, I think I am going to send a message. There are a lot of good independent artists and record labels out there. These are the people and places that are truly advancing music and entertainment, bringing in new artists, styles, and innovations. These are not the formulaic creations of the media moguls. These are also usually labels where mid- and bottom-list artists are not getting screwed. So, I plan to spend my music money with them. I can live without the latest from the big names and big labels.

That raises the question, can the big labels and the RIAA live without my money? Sure they can. But, can they live without the money of a lot of us who are fed up with a bunch of [DELETED – Ed.] who use tactics more suited to thugs and jackboots? Nope.

Send a message today. Go buy something from an independent artist or label that is not part of the RIAA. Go buy something new, innovative, or just plain good. Support a local band. More of your money is likely to reach the artist, and it will do more good for the artist, you, music as a whole, and for the economy than 10 RIAA discs would. Check out Heather Alexander down there on the right, or Imaginary Records and the many good jazz albums there. Cast your vote, in the way that truly counts and send the message that counts to the RIAA.

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