Okay, here's the problem as as I see it. These "Fat Cats/ Music Mongruls" can't assess a proper value for their product.

For years they gotten away with a business model tha has a performer market and release one top song that would drive the majority of the music buying public to spend 13 to 15 for 15 to 20 songs we don't want. or didn't intend to buy. Now with the internet, we can preview before we buy or not buy at all.

That's why they are worried, they lost control and they still have to foot the bill for production labor, distribution of songs that won't sell... not even as a jingle. Those pop bands/perfomers you mentioned Stup sell mor regurgitated music than any other. Revised classics, the lyrics and beats, when I pull out my ole 45' and 33's and play the tunes, you should see the faces of kids and co-workers... very little original music is being "released" by these record labels.

And now they want me to pay 15 dollars for the ability to make three copies on my PC which can now be exploited thanks to the same record label? Thanks but no Thanks, I have no sympathy for them or their declining profit margins!

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"Down with democracy... we need more dictatorships"! Galamoth
"Derms, celebrate your independance"! Babz

When I said the cost of making a CD, was referring to the cost of creating the piece of material that is the compact disc itself, writing the data to that disc, and if you want, adding in a booklet and case. This is very cheap, and yet they charge 15 or 20 dollars for them. You refer to the declining sales, and say it's because of piracy, yet the majority of studies show that music sales have increased from piracy. If you want my opinion, declining sales are more from people realizing that they are being over charged, turning to radio (XM was released sometime in this time period wasnt it?), and fewer people enjoy music at all as the TV industry grows. I just don't believe its piracy that is cutting into their profit margins.

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"Some demand the freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought they choose to avoid."

Agreed.