Rockers Sue Sony Over Download Royalties

[Chu]

Didn't know how many regulars visit /. (I don't think there'll be many..), but you guys might like to discuss this: Sony is paying them less than what they deserve (http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060428/ap_en_mu/music_downloads_royalties;_ylt=AowpM.my63biaeu.FU8 A_rRxFb8C;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--).

If you can't be bothered going to the link (I guess some people won't), and want a very basic run down, here:
"According to an AP article, groups Cheap Trick and The Allman Brothers allege that Sony is paying them less than what they deserve for music downloaded from popular download sites such as iTunes. Because Sony counts such sales as the equivalent of a physical phonorecording sale, they deduct costs for packaging (20%) and breakage (15%) from the artists' royalties, just as they would if they were selling CDs through more traditional means. Seeing as how there is no physical packaging, nor physical inventory that might suffer breakage, one wonders how Sony will defend against these charges."
"From the article, assuming it's accurate and correct, each 99 cent sale of a Cheap Trick song nets Cheap Trick a paltry $.045."

Yeah, I posted this just cause I figured some people would like some discussion, I'm not too interested with it to be honest... (If no one really cares, I guess just forget about it, maybe a mod will close it or something)

[Mazeppa]

Wow Sony are tight, deducting costs for packaging and breakage is mad. I still find it hard to understand why anyone would pay for digital music rather than a cd though.

[JohnXDoe]

Record companies have always been slimey with their funny math. You wanna go broke, be a rock star. It's like welfare, only your house is bigger and cars are nicer.

So far as metal guitar's question, well it's a good one if you buy from itunes or Napster or Rhapsody. Or any other service like it. But if you buy music like I do from an overseas place, it's dirt cheap. So that's why I buy digital.

I haven't tried any torrent music downloads or anything like that, but I'm thinking about giving it a go just to check it out.

[Permanent Solution]

I still find it hard to understand why anyone would pay for digital music rather than a cd though.
Singles, convenience, cost, etc...

[Against Miik!]

Torrents are addicting, but a good time still.

Personally I hate Sony, but I also hate iTunes. Even if you buy a full album, the songs still cost 99 cents a piece, which is crap. The albums should be sold at competetive prices, since not all CDs that have 25 songs will cost 24.75 or whatever.

[Permanent Solution]

Torrents are addicting, but a good time still.

Personally I hate Sony, but I also hate iTunes. Even if you buy a full album, the songs still cost 99 cents a piece, which is crap. The albums should be sold at competetive prices, since not all CDs that have 25 songs will cost 24.75 or whatever.
Um, have you ever used itunes? If so you surely must have realize most albums are around $10 usually.

For instance, look at NOFX albums. Typically 15-25 songs. Typically $9.99.

[Dave de Sylvia]

This doesn't really alter the amount of satisfaction I get from stealing Lars Ulrich's music, but musicians do get a terribly low cut for their music.

[Against Miik!]

Um, have you ever used itunes? If so you surely must have realize most albums are around $10 usually.

For instance, look at NOFX albums. Typically 15-25 songs. Typically $9.99.

People actually pay money for NOFX albums? Shame.

[rata]

People actually pay money for NOFX albums? Shame.


:lol: very funny, .... if people like to get 20 songs or more in one CD, get a punk record. :p