May 13, 2004
Not a big deal?
When the whiny RIAA isn't busy trying to sue students and busy not generating new talent, they're busy whining about how record sales have gone down since people have stopped spending money and have started downloading all of their music.
Apparently, if you look at the statistics another way, a way that makes more sense, then record sales have increased. This is why I hate statistics and am skeptical to put much value on statistics or arguments that rely on statistics. The RIAA claimed a 7% decrease in retail sales last year. Sure enough, according to RIAA numbers, they shipped 7% less product to stores. The RIAA is actively blaming this loss to online file sharing. However, cd sales have increased. The number of CD's purchased by people has increased by 9.4% . If the Lemonade stand game ever taught me anything, This seems to be good for everyone. Less inventory, lower prices, higher sales. The only people who get less money are the lemon sellers, but this isn't the fault of file sharing, it just indicates a smarter retailer that keeps less stock, and sells more for less.
I dont think the RIAA will every be able to stop online piracy. With a free digital distribution system why does the world need something like the RIAA any more? I'm just waiting for the day that KaZaa's successor rises. Hopefully this new file sharing system will be private and will be immune to RIAA lawsuits.
Posted by Bryant at May 13, 2004 10:59 PM