Music companies find a new way to make up for lost CD sales

[tj]

This woman lost a $222,000 case to record labels for downloading and filesharing music. As CD sales drop off the map and the record companies' margins get squeezed even more, it looks like this could be a new revenue stream.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/ ... 0186.shtml

[Greg]

She should've just settled out of court like the rest of them did.

Stupid record company.

[squirt1]

Record companies need to get some decent new talent instead of fad music.

[Eric]

Looking at the other side.....maybe people should stop stealing music?

[ebake02]

Looking at the other side.....maybe people should stop stealing music?

People wouldn't steal music if CDs weren't so fucking expensive. None of the shit that's out there now is worth what they charge for a CD.

[tj]

Looking at the other side.....maybe people should stop stealing music?

Agreed. Stealing is wrong and people shouldn't do it. With the ability to download individual songs now, there shouldn't be as much "need" for people to do it. Previously, if you wanted one great song, you had to buy the whole album or share the song over these peer to peer networks. Now, just pay $.99 and move on.

[ebake02]

Looking at the other side.....maybe people should stop stealing music?

Now, just pay $.99 and move on.

Why pay $.99 for shitty music.

[WalrusOct9]

.99 cents is an okay price for single songs (given that CD singles used to be $6 or more).

But whole albums for $9.99 as a shitty-compressed download?

I have no problem buying downloaded albums since most of my listening is done on my mp3 player now...as much as the sound quality annoys me, it's really, really REALLY convenient, and also kind to my very tiny apartment that doesn't have room for CD racks anymore.

HOWEVER, if you're going to sell 1/8th the product, it should be priced accordingly...a CD is $15, so the download version with no disc, artwork, case, distribution costs, retail costs, manufacturing costs and being about 1/4th the audio quality of a CD, should cost around $5 tops.

Selling files on iTunes at roughly the same cost of the CD is NOT innovation. (and don't even get me started about how stupid DRM is...i couldn't even play purchased files on my mp3 player even if I wanted to)

[conversationpc]

.99 cents is an okay price for single songs (given that CD singles used to be $6 or more).

99 cents is still too much. A few years ago, I downloaded tons of songs for about 5 cents each. It's gotten more expensive since then but it couldn't be beat at the time.

[tj]

.99 cents is an okay price for single songs (given that CD singles used to be $6 or more).

99 cents is still too much. A few years ago, I downloaded tons of songs for about 5 cents each. It's gotten more expensive since then but it couldn't be beat at the time.

I agree that for most songs, $.99 is too much compared to what you get. For the opportunity to buy the one or two good songs on an album, and not be stuck with the rest of the crap, I don't think it is too much.

Emusic.com has a pretty good deal and all of their music is in MP3 format. No DRM or itunes hassle to put up with. Downside is that most of their catalog is not major label. I did find TOTO, Triump, Hall and Oates, the Hollies, and some other bands there. They have a 25 free download trial going on right now for new users.

[GetNervous [EmoBoi]]

this is so fucked up.. i download no more then 7 songs a month.. and i buy most of my cds and records! Man i would be pissed if i got sued cuz i am always buying cds and vinyl. I can see if someone gets a few songs here and there but my god i do agree if they are being ghetto and burn/rip everything and being a cheapskate.. i see it this way... if u REALLY love the artist u wouldnt steal from them.. unless its a vinl only release or rare or outdated song. I have bought every single madonna cher journey metallica and fleetwood mac album that i own.