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Record Industry Wants Royalties for Used CD Sales

Posted by michael on from the mo-money dept.

cuberat writes "In a continuing effort to maintain their image as evil incarnate, record companies are considering charging used CD retailers a royalty for every CD they resell. The story is in today's San Diego Union-Tribune here. When are these guys going to get a clue?"

4 of 480 comments (clear)

  1. Just say NO by Archfeld · · Score: 5, Interesting

    The record companues were in NO WAY involved in the transaction, they got theirs on the first sale, why should they get more money ?? Do used book sales generate for authors ? Does Ford get money when I sell my car as used ??

    --
    errr....umm...*whooosh* *whoosh* Is this thing on ?
  2. Did anyone else shiver when they read this? by sam_handelman · · Score: 5, Interesting

    One proposed remedy being debated by record label executives is federal legislation requiring used-CD retailers to pay royalties on secondary sales of albums.

    Interesting choice of phrasing. The executives aren't debating whether or not they should lobby for the legislation, or support the legislation - they're debating the legislation itself. No criticism of Frank Green (author of Union-Tribune piece) is intended; unfortunately, I think he is being totally accurate.

    --
    The good and new comes from no quarter where it is looked for, and is always something different from what is expected.
  3. Re:ELLA by FatRatBastard · · Score: 5, Interesting

    I'm pulling this out of my butt (er... long term memory) so I may be getting part of this wrong, but I remember seeing a history of the publishing industry where they tried to do this very thing. I believe it was around the turn of the last century. Book publishers were trying to make books "licensed", thus keep them from being re-sold (or I assume checked out from a library) without the publisher's consent. I can't remember why it failed (could have been taken to court, or could have been a public relations nightmare), but it did.

    Another poster has links to court cases upholding the doctorine of first sale. I'd expect the music industry to achieve the same amount of success as book publishers a hundred years ago.

  4. The largest irony? What If? by teamhasnoi · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I record my own (composed, arranged, and performed by me.) music on a CD-R. I pay a tarrif (to the RIAA) on each CD I use in this manner.

    I put this CD on consignment (or sell outright) at my local used record store.

    Someone comes in and purchases my CD. (thank you!)The RIAA wants a royalty on this sale.

    I am not employed, retained, on in any way affillated with the RIAA.

    Why are they paid for the blank CD-R? The secondary sale? They cannot recoup money from me! I owe them nothing. They are stealing from ME.

    As I have said time and time again, the RIAA, the MPAA, The Big 5, the Industry, whatever you want to call them, they are after control over creation and distribution of content.

    If the abillity of individuals to create and distribute independent content is stifled, the 1st amendment is GONE.

    Remember this saying? Freedom of the press belongs to those that own one.

    Don't let what has already happened to Radio, TV, and Newspapers happen to music too.