Group offers alternative to P2P bill

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that too,

but he does have a point in the the issue with P2P networks isn't specificially piracy, there are more underlying issues. Study after study after study has shown that piracy does not have a negative impact on their profit margins, but only as they relate to CD and tape sales figures. It is stupid to think that piracy has no effect on their bottom line, because it does, but it's not in the area of slumping CD sales, etc, its in their radio and advertising revenues. Recent studies have shown that the number of people, and the time they spend listending to traditional radio, has slowly been decreasing with the widespread adoption of P2P by the masses, circa 2000. That is what is really killing them. Prior to that point, did anyone hear them whining about piracy, now, because it wasn't cutting into their profits then, but now it is. Why would people listen to the radio alot, when they could just download what they want, etc. Without peopling listening as much, there is less advertising revenue pouring into the radio industry, and with less revenue coming in, they pay less to play each song, and groups like the RIAA and their member companies are forced to lower their rates, or the radio stations will play their songs less. Granted, they don't pay much, but when you consider every single radio station in the world is suddenly only paying you 10-15% of what they used to pay you, you can see a huge drop problem. You would think that PEOPLE would dictate what is played, but it is in effect, that the companies dictate what is played. In fact, during the early days of P2P, pre-2000, and I'm sure they do now today as well, but the RIAA, and other labels actually used P2P statistics for their own good, as "proof" that particular songs were popular, and therefore, radio stations should pay more to play that specific song than other songs, etc, since more people like it. Its all about following the money trail.

There is also the issue that was brought up in regard to distribution. It is possible (though still rare) via P2P for new bands to get a moderate following from fans, without having to sign with a major record label for promotion. This is exactly what the RIAA doesn't want. They don't want it to be possible for these bands to "make it" without having to go through them, so that they get a hunk chunk of the profits. P2P is cutting in on their ability to completely control the distribution market. 10 years ago, if the major labels didn't want to listen to what you were singing, then noone outside of your local bar probably heard your band. In todays world, P2P and the internet have changed that, so that even if the labels don't want your stuff, you can still put it out there, and let everyone who wants to, enjoy it. Let's not forget that the RIAA isn't just after P2P, they aggressively fought off I-Tunes, at its inception, as well as other web services that allow you to pay per download.

Its not so much that piracy ISN'T a problem, because it is, but it isn't the reason the RIAA has chosen this course of action. This reasoning also explains why other content groups, like the MPAA and BSA, etc, are against piracy (as they should be) but don't appear to be going to the extremes that the music industry is going to.

Posted by: tamuhockey   Posted on: 08/24/04 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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