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CEA President Slams RIAA Audio Flag
Grv writes "The president of the Consumer Electronics Association isn't happy with the RIAA. According to Ars Technica,
Gary Shapiro accuses the RIAA of trying to shut off fair use by pushing for laws like the audio broadcast flag. Apparently the RIAA is all talk and no action, however, as
Shapiro laments the fact that the organization has failed to come up with an implementation plan or even attend meetings with the industry. This has angered electronics companies
and radio stations who have pressed ahead with digital radio plans only to see the RIAA backtrack on its support for home recording."
It's like you're being deliberately dense. But to what purpose?
Ok, I'll spell it out since you've demonstrated that you are not wise enough for just a word to be sufficient. The only value the record companies provide is to hold the audience hostage. Payola being the prime example, exclusionary contracts with all the major brick & mortar stores is another. If they didn't hold the audience hostage, they would not be able to so absolutely dictate terms to the artists themselves. All the other "services" that they provide are just as available on the open market and at substantially lower cost than what the record company "charges" the artists.
Don't bother responding - payola and exclusionary contracts are well documented, indisputable facts of how business is done. If you think you can dispute the link between them and holding audiences hostage, you'll have to explain what other more plausible reason would explain those facts, and make sure your arguments aren't undone by the word oligopoly.