ThePitt Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 The Recording Industry Association of America hasn't been making too many friends these days. I guess I should say that the organization does have many friends inside the music industry, because that's who makes up the the RIAA.I'm not here to argue whether it's right or wrong to download free music where it's available, or whether it's OK to listen to your friend's "Beach Boys Greatest Hits Album." I'm just here to point out what the RIAA wants you to believe about the cost of music and CDs. If you visit the Key Stats/Facts page on the RIAA website, you'll notice a justification for pricing CDs. The biggest argument appears to be the fact that the Consumer Price Index rose nearly 60 percent between 1983 and 1996, even though the price of a CD actually went down. While this might be a true statement, this is virtually worthless in determining how much a CD should cost. Let's examine this statement, directly from the website:If CD prices had risen at the same rate as consumer prices over this period, the average retail price of a CD in 1996 would have been $33.86 instead of $12.75. I know that the CPI has risen, but these numbers don't seem to translate properly. So I visited the Bureau of Labor Statistics Data site u>, which contains a CPI Inflation Calculator. Unfortunately, I needed the initial value (of a CD in 1983), instead of the theoretical value in 1996. Since I didn't have that, I just guessed until I came up with $33.86 in 1996. I finally found that value: $21.50. This means that the RIAA is claiming that the average cost of a CD in 1983 was $21.50. How many CDs have you purchased for more than $20? True, the CD was new technology at the time, and it's quite possible that the price, in some places, was more than $20. Where the RIAA deviates from basic technology knowledge, however, is that more often than not, the cost of producing something like a CD almost always goes down over time. What better example of electronics getting cheaper than taking a look at the history of the calculator. From the website listed above, Texas Instruments came out with a calculator in 1972 (TI-2500) that cost $119.95 (actually, the suggested retail price was $149.99). If we take a look at the CPI inflation calculator, using the calculator cost and a 13-year span, from 1972 to 1985 (the same time length the RIAA used), we see that the calculator should have cost about $308.77 in 1985. Maybe this isn't fair, considering the time periods are different. So I'll try $119.95 in 1983, and the value in 1996 is $188.96. How much do you think a calculator that could do only basic math functions (add, subtract, divide, multiply) was worth in 1996? By 1981, Texas Instruments had already developed a model that included more functionality for $19.99. Granted, the technology involving calculators and CDs are vastly different. My point is that when you are in the technology world, most of your products, with the same level of functionality, do not get more expensive. The CPI is useful for looking at the prices of raw material, grocery items, etc. Sorry RIAA, but buying a CD isn't like buying a bushel of Korn. http://www.whas11.com/news/woods/stories/W...b.44a095ba.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mrbester MVC Posted February 7, 2007 MVC Share Posted February 7, 2007 RIAA = bull**** artists When CDs first came out there was the usual "oh, they'll come down in price" burble. Irrespective of inflation (to hell with Consumer Price Indices, they mean nothing to the actual consumer) they haven't. An example is Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds double CD. When it came out it was about ?25 (80s). Until recently it wasstill> ?25. I only got one because there was a sale at ?15 which is the only true reduction in price. For those who think "lamer buying WotW", the same applies to Pink Floyd's The Wall, Ummagumma, etc. Whilst ?25 today is less than it was 20 years ago the reduction in manufacturing costs far outweighs the depreciation of currency, meaning they get more profit now than they did on the item. And they wantincrease the price? Watch everybody not buying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xero Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Naturally they want it to cost more, otherwise how else will they make so much profit. I'm glad they can't do **** in Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNay Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Naturally they want it to cost more, otherwise how else will they make so much profit. I'm glad they can't do **** in Canada. We have the CRIA, which is like the RIAA, so it could happen. Plus were affiliated with the WTO (World Trade Organization). Buying CD's are stupid nowadays, iTunes and other sorts are better. Besides on the average CD there's only a few good songs usually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Xero Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 ^^ But our organization isn't money hungry ###### who sue every little kid for having an illegal song ;) But I still like buying cd's its nice having the actual physical cd. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DanManIt Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Blasphemy. If anything CDs should be cheaper. Giving the consumers more reason to go out and buy the CD instead of pirating it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toastyone Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I hardly ever get cds I just buy the music on itunes..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NienorGT Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 RIAA says that I should pirate more... Seriously, how I can buy music legally if I don't have the money to buy them because it cost too much? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferret Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 Well, if they increase the price of CD's again, then you'll find more piracy !!! iTunes made songs abit more affordable, and they sell millions ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsheron Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 RIAA says that I should pirate more...Seriously, how I can buy music legally if I don't have the money to buy them because it cost too much? You'll have to get by without music. Sheesh, people go on like music is water. You don't need it, you just want it. And last time I checked, if you want something, you usually have to pay for it or steal it. And therein lies your choice. Boycotting these bastards is the only way forward, because then they will take note and behave like good crocodiles (maybe). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.Kompressor Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 pffft! to hell with those imperialist minded jerks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 I wouldn't mind paying $2 a song, IF I can hear the songs first, and only pay for the songs I really like, and not the crappy ones on an album. :pinch: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+M2Ys4U Subscriber¹ Posted February 7, 2007 Subscriber¹ Share Posted February 7, 2007 Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, RIAA... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeathGod Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 The RIAA Has Moral Issues Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason S. Global Moderator Posted February 7, 2007 Global Moderator Share Posted February 7, 2007 im still convinced there's a deeper agenda to the MPAA and RIAA, but i cant pinpoint it yet. they spend more money on lawsuits than they would get from stopping piracy... it doesnt make sense... and scare tactics only work on some. millions of people have downloaded a song illegally... idk, just doesnt add up to me. and now they seem to want to raise prices? how is that justified? that, again, makes no sense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rado354 Posted February 7, 2007 Share Posted February 7, 2007 (edited) These guys are running out of their little minds... Edited February 7, 2007 by rado354 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L3thal Veteran Posted February 8, 2007 Veteran Share Posted February 8, 2007 I think the keyword here is should. This is an obvious attempt by the RIAA to justify today's CD prices by saying if inflation was added to the cost, it should be costing much more than $15 for a CD so people can think they are getting a good deal with today's prices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+mrbester MVC Posted February 8, 2007 MVC Share Posted February 8, 2007 Which is dumb, because the first thing that any halfway intelligent person would ask is "Why? Does it still cost the same proportion to make it?", already knowing the answer is "no"... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+devHead Subscriber² Posted February 8, 2007 Subscriber² Share Posted February 8, 2007 Their reasoning is faulty, because as one of the poster's noted, the cost of producing compact discs has gone down considerably from when they first came out. When CD players were introduced (which were not nearly as good as they are now), they were over $1000! Now, you can get DVD players that play CDs and everything else for $60. It's true, artists are getting more money and inflation being what it is, but that doesn't justify the still-high prices of CDs. They don't seem to have a real grasp on reality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Azusa Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 soon the RIAA's coffin will have more nails than a hardware store Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marduk Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 BRILLIANT! So even thought its been completely exposed that they take the BIGGEST chunk out of CD sales they feel inclined to say "Hey guys we want even a BIGGER chunk" what a bunch of dumbasses. They really want to raise the number of non-drm mp3 downloaders, they're really pushing it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IndianPimp99 Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Well, atleast this kid is trying to do something about it: http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37337 http://www.1010wins.com/pages/193237.php?c...ontentId=298727 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echilon Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 This would really be the nail in the coffin for legal music. I can't even imagine die hard fans paying that much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
acies Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 Yea putting up prices will stop pirates... idiots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kreuger Posted February 8, 2007 Share Posted February 8, 2007 I'll keep downloading most and buying the odd cd I like if its under $15 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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