[d@DCC] Re: Time music industry focused on product

[Russell McOrmond]

Reply to:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1102288207948&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851&DPL=IvsNDS%2f7ChAX&tacodalogin=yes

  Once again Michael Geist makes a convincing case against the extremists
in the recording industry, and he does this using the most forgiving data
available from the recording industry's side of the debate.

  I believe that consumer boycott also has a considerable effect on sales.  
This is a factor not discussed in these two articles: that people should
not be expected to fund political extremists that sue their family and
friends, or lobby for laws that will harm the rights of the majority of
musicians and audiences.

  This is not only a factor in the declining revenue of the major labels,
but also one of the reasons I am angry at the Private Copying levy.  This
is a levy that I am forced to pay when I buy blank CDs to put my own
software on, with this money going to my political opponents.  I suspect
this is similar to why opposition parties were so upset at hearing Liberal
supporters received government sponsorship money.

  In the United States there is a consumer campaign to put WARNING
stickers on Recording Industry Association of America CDs in retail
stores.  The Warning stickers state "Warning! Buying this CD funds
lawsuits against children and their families" or "Warning! This record
label pays radio stations to keep independent music off the air", with
links to RIAAradar.com and DownhillBattle.org

  I started my personal boycott in 2000, and refuse to purchased any major
label music.  While I am unlikely to participate in a campaign to put
warnings on CDs in stores, it is interesting to see how far music fans are
willing to go to get their voice heard.

Russell McOrmond
Ottawa, Ontario
Independent software and other literary creator, FLORA.ca

-- 
 Russell McOrmond, Internet Consultant: <http://www.flora.ca/> 
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