The RIAA has decided you’re a thief just for ripping a CD to put on your iPod. Never mind that Apple, Microsoft, and other download services have already come up with DRM schemes based on that very principle. No, the RIAA not only believes you’re a thief just for buying their product, they want to hack your computer in the name of the War on Terror.
So what do people think of an industry that prefers screwing its customers to finding a way to survive? Here’s a hint. The movie industry knows this this the future. That’s why there’s a writers’ strike. Wall Street analysts, however, can only shake their heads at the recording industry’s stupidity. (Scroll down. Warner Music gets a nice long rant.) As for the artists, they’ve pretty much stopped caring, a trend that started in 1999 when these guys turned their backs on even independent labels to survive.
My advice to the recording industry? Stop overcharging for CD’s. Stop harassing your few remaining customers. Stop committing acts of terrorism because some poor kid doesn’t want to support the coke habits of record company executives. Sooner or later, people will simply stop buying music that has anything to do with the major labels. But they will still buy music.
What makes you think there’s a shortage of music out there?
Then again, maybe there’s hope for you guys yet.
I’m not holding my breath.
