Damn the RIAA MAN!
By Grant (2000/07/27)Today, I read something interesting. Yes, I know that is kind of crazy, but I was actually interested...and pissed off at the same time (now that is hard to do!). I read that a U.S. district judge has ordered Napster to remove all of its copyrighted material off its server. This proves to be a major victory for the Recording Industry Association of America. Thank you RIAA for doing this to us, preferring analog to digital, and the old to the new.
It proves to be another case about those stuck in the past, afraid to face what the future might bring. Technology has brought many miracles. The cotton gin, invented in 1792, revolutionized the cotton industry and reinvigorated a slumping Southern economy. The automobile has improved personal and commercial transportation. Man has been to the Moon. The computer has improved leaps and bounds over the past 10 years, providing fast, convenient connections to the largest source of information ever, the internet. Need I say more?
This is a revolution. You can't stop the onslaught of technology. I'm sorry, but CDs are becoming a thing of the past, curiosities that will soon equal the nostalgia of records. Digital music, MP3s and other forms are the future. The digital music revolution has been going on for more then a year. The industry knew that technology was headed this way. Many bands have even taken to releasing internet only singles and albums, knowing that the profits from releasing music may be decreasing. So, why have bands all of a sudden risen up in disgust over Napster and MP3.com? Suddenly a mainstream forum was setup for the trading of songs and albums, which could be transmitted perfectly from one user to another. Why doesn't the "industry" just ban the whole damn internet then?!
What really makes me mad is all this crap that we have to take from the "industry". I remember 7-8 years ago, when CDs really started to become popular, recording artists got all pissed off about used CD stores. Their problem was the lack of royalties they would be receiving for the sale as a used CD. And because used CDs have the same quality as new CDs, the second owner could get pretty much the same product for a cheaper price. Now, no one hears anything about used CD stores, cause it really didn't harm sales too much. They just want to protect themselves and the almighty dollar.
It all comes down to money. The rich artists, half of which have no bloody talent to begin with, want more and can't see giving anything back to their fans. Yes, I am talking to you Metallica and Lars "I want to be richer but f*** you" Ulrich and Dr. Dre. Record sales are at a record high, yet you can't give anything back to your fans. F*** YOU! You people make me sick! Thank you Napster, MP3 and other providers of digital music for not being as shortsighted as members of the "industry". Those people need their own thugs to shoot them dead. Heaven knows there are enough of those signed to record deals to defend a small country.