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RIAA Loss Report Contradicts Nielsen Sales Record

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the cult-of-spin dept.

DerekAtLC writes "In a not-so-surprising twist of the tables, RIAA reporting of 'losses' is a little bit off. An interesting blurb at Ars Technica referencing a Kensei News article points out that Nielsen's Soundscan (Which tracks retail point-of-sale numbers for the music industry) shows a 10% increase in sales from Q1 2003 to Q1 2004. The RIAA has recently reported drops in revenue from last year, citing online piracy as the main problem. The crux of the issue? The RIAA hasn't been talking about sales or revenue in terms of sales to consumers or money generated via those sales. The RIAA talks about losses in terms of number of units shipped to retail outlets. The article points out plenty of problems with this (and reasons why we are seeing the trend), but it is fairly obvious that the RIAA is not reporting the most 'useful' numbers to the public."

15 of 348 comments (clear)

  1. Funny numbers?!?! by magarity · · Score: 4, Funny

    the RIAA is not reporting the most 'useful' numbers to the public."

    OMG! Someone is using statistics to slant an issue their way! OMG!

    1. Re:Funny numbers?!?! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      All statistics are made up anyways, 3 out of 4 people know that.

      Brownie points to the person who can identify that quote.

  2. In related news... by k4_pacific · · Score: 5, Funny

    The US census is now counting every possible sperm-egg combination as a "potential" citizen.

    --
    Unknown host pong.
    1. Re:In related news... by ThatsNotFunny · · Score: 5, Funny

      In that case, my left hand is guilty of mass murder...

      --
      "Was it a millionaire who said 'Imagine No Posessions?'" -- Elvis Costello
    2. Re:In related news... by machine+of+god · · Score: 4, Funny

      Fine so long as I can claim the dependants.

    3. Re:In related news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      And Hi-Five for another lefty, uh, hi-five with the right hand...

    4. Re:In related news... by sik0fewl · · Score: 5, Funny

      ... not to mention mass turbation.

      --
      I remember when legal used to mean lawful, now it means some kind of loophole. - Leo Kessler
    5. Re:In related news... by drinkypoo · · Score: 1, Funny

      It's hard being a dick, he's either hanging around unemployed, being jerked off, pissed off, or getting fucked. His closest neighbor is an asshole and he has two dependents who are both nuts.

      --
      "You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
    6. Re:In related news... by luke923 · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well, if we learned anything from Monty Python, it's that: There are Jews in the world. There are Buddhists. There are Hindus and Mormons, and then There are those that follow Mohammed, but I've never been one of them. I'm a Roman Catholic, And have been since before I was born, And the one thing they say about Catholics is: They'll take you as soon as you're warm. You don't have to be a six-footer. You don't have to have a great brain. You don't have to have any clothes on. You're A Catholic the moment Dad came, Because... ...Every sperm is sacred. Every sperm is great. If a sperm is wasted, God gets quite irate. Every sperm is sacred. Every sperm is great. If a sperm is wasted, God gets quite irate. Let the heathen spill theirs On the dusty ground. God shall make them pay for Each sperm that can't be found. Every sperm is wanted. Every sperm is good. Every sperm is needed In your neighbourhood. Hindu, Taoist, Mormon, Spill theirs just anywhere, But God loves those who treat their Semen with more care. Every sperm is sacred. Every sperm is great. If a sperm is wasted,... ...God gets quite irate. Every sperm is sacred. Every sperm is good. Every sperm is needed... ...In your neighbourhood! Every sperm is useful. Every sperm is fine. God needs everybody's. Mine! And mine! And mine! Let the Pagan spill theirs O'er mountain, hill, and plain. God shall strike them down for Each sperm that's spilt in vain. Every sperm is sacred. Every sperm is good. Every sperm is needed In your neighbourhood. Every sperm is sacred. Every sperm is great. If a sperm is wasted, God gets quite iraaaaate! Actually, I'm more Protestant, and - as a member "of the Protestant Reformed Church, which successfully challenged the autocratic power of the Papacy in the mid-sixteenth century, we can wear little rubber devices to prevent issue." "...and, by wearing a rubber sheath over my old feller, I could insure... that, when I came off, (someone) would not be impregnated." After all, "...That's what being a Protestant's all about. That's why it's the church for me. That's why it's the church for anyone who respects the individual and the individual's right to decide for him or herself. When Martin Luther nailed his protest up to the church door in fifteen-seventeen, he may not have realised the full significance of what he was doing, but four hundred years later, thanks to him, my dear, I can wear whatever I want on my John Thomas,... [sniff] ...and, Protestantism doesn't stop at the simple condom! Oh, no! I can wear French Ticklers if I want....French Ticklers. Black Mambos. Crocodile Ribs. Sheaths that are designed not only to protect, but also to enhance the stimulation of sexual congress....I can go down the road any time I want and walk into Harry's and hold my head up high and say in a loud, steady voice, 'Harry, I want you to sell me a condom. In fact, today, I think I'll have a French Tickler, for I am a Protestant.'" But, I digress. Monty Python is great.

      --
      "Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick any two" -- RFC 1925
    7. Re:In related news... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      I think the term is spermicide.

    8. Re:In related news... by __aamkky7574 · · Score: 2, Funny
      To quote Bill Hicks:
      You know what that means? That means I have wiped entire civilizations off my chest with a gray gym sock. I've tossed universes in my underpants. While napping. That is special.
      P.
  3. ahhh statistics by jonnystiph · · Score: 4, Funny

    You know what they say 97.89% statistics are made up on the spot....

    This was obviously a farce from the get go. Mp3's open people up to music they would have never bought, same can be said with libraries and books.

    --

    If we don't make light of everything, we are just stumbling in the dark - Blank

  4. Re:It's not something we can ever get hard numbers by miu · · Score: 2, Funny
    That way people still get their free stuff, the music companies get a shit load of revenue without much effort on their part and everyone is a little happy.

    Oh I get it, they take a loss with every sale, but then make it up on volume.

    --

    [Set Cain on fire and steal his lute.]
  5. RIAA is Dying by Lost+Penguin · · Score: 2, Funny

    Netcraft reports, .., RIAA,..., Red ink, ;)

    It would make a great troll!

    --
    I am the unwilling control for my Origin.
  6. Re:Dont forget by Joey7F · · Score: 4, Funny

    Wait hold the phone, you are saying there are ten people that listen to creed?

    --Joey