Piracy ... where do you stand ?

[Saijinn Maas]

That is so true Tony. LOL Law is dictated by those in power. Whether it is wrong or right is subjective, and is thus irrelevant. But in order to live within any particular society, you have to submit to their law. You have the freedom to do whatever you want, as long as one understands that there are possible consequences to their actions. In other words, there is no use complaining if you made the choice to go against it, philosophically wrong or right . But in that case, true morality is subjective. But should civilization fall, there will only be no law for a bit. The idea of true anarchy is a fallacy. We would devolve into a feudal system where the strong will try to rule the weak. In which case we will subjected to their law. It is the nature of all animals to submit to the more powerful and to rise up against that power. You see it in almost all animals that live within some type of social structure.

ORH,
Your example works perfectly for someone like Susan Boyle. But I would be willing to bet that it was not the younger demographic that was buy her cd. But that demographic is also not stealing music or movies either. The primary fans of a Justin Bieber or Britney Spears or Lady Gaga are of the age group where the majority are computer literate.

[Tony W]

I'm going to be a KING!

[Oldrottenhead]

i feel really sorry for the big record labels.

read what steve albini has to say.

http://www.negativland.com/albini.html

and this part is very interesting.

Advance:    $ 250,000
Manager's cut:    $ 37,500
Legal fees:    $ 10,000
Recording Budget:    $ 150,000
Producer's advance:    $ 50,000
Studio fee:    $ 52,500
Drum Amp, Mic and Phase "Doctors":    $ 3,000
Recording tape:    $ 8,000
Equipment rental:    $ 5,000
Cartage and Transportation:    $ 5,000
Lodgings while in studio:    $ 10,000
Catering:    $ 3,000
Mastering:    $ 10,000
Tape copies, reference CDs, shipping tapes, misc. expenses:    $ 2,000
Video budget:    $ 30,000
Cameras:    $ 8,000
Crew:    $ 5,000
Processing and transfers:    $ 3,000
Off-line:    $ 2,000
On-line editing:    $ 3,000
Catering:    $ 1,000
Stage and construction:    $ 3,000
Copies, couriers, transportation:    $ 2,000
Director's fee:    $ 3,000
Album Artwork:    $ 5,000
Promotional photo shoot and duplication:    $ 2,000
Band fund:    $ 15,000
New fancy professional drum kit:    $ 5,000
New fancy professional guitars [2]:    $ 3,000
New fancy professional guitar amp rigs [2]:    $ 4,000
New fancy potato-shaped bass guitar:    $ 1,000
New fancy rack of lights bass amp:    $ 1,000
Rehearsal space rental:    $ 500
Big blowout party for their friends:    $ 500
Tour expense [5 weeks]:    $ 50,875
Bus:    $ 25,000
Crew [3]:    $ 7,500
Food and per diems:    $ 7,875
Fuel:    $ 3,000
Consumable supplies:    $ 3,500
Wardrobe:    $ 1,000
Promotion:    $ 3,000
Tour gross income:    $ 50,000
Agent's cut:    $ 7,500
Manager's cut:    $ 7,500
Merchandising advance:    $ 20,000
Manager's cut:    $ 3,000
Lawyer's fee:    $ 1,000
Publishing advance:    $ 20,000
Manager's cut:    $ 3,000
Lawyer's fee:    $ 1,000
Record sales:    250,000 @ $12 =
$3,000,000
Gross retail revenue Royalty:    [13% of 90% of retail]:
$ 351,000
Less advance:    $ 250,000
Producer's points:    [3% less $50,000 advance]:
$ 40,000
Promotional budget:    $ 25,000
Recoupable buyout from previous label:    $ 50,000
Net royalty:    $ -14,000
Record company income:

Record wholesale price:    $6.50 x 250,000 =
$1,625,000 gross income
Artist Royalties:    $ 351,000
Deficit from royalties:    $ 14,000
Manufacturing, packaging and distribution:    @ $2.20 per record: $ 550,000
Gross profit:    $ 7l0,000
The Balance Sheet: This is how much each player got paid at the end of the game.

Record company:    $ 710,000
Producer:    $ 90,000
Manager:    $ 51,000
Studio:    $ 52,500
Previous label:    $ 50,000
Agent:    $ 7,500
Lawyer:    $ 12,000
Band member net income each:    $ 4,031.25

[Tony W]

all the numbers in the world don't legitimize piracy. Sure we can scrape a few bucks off the record companies, but the pocket change the band gets adds up too.

Believe me, if I were a band, I'd setup a paypal account, and accept donations. hell, I'd throw a few bucks at a band if I like them and they did it. I donated to a guy who developed a custom ROM on the phone I'm using..... why not.

[Oldrottenhead]

all the numbers in the world don't legitimize piracy

where did i say anything about legitimizing piracy?

[Saijinn Maas]

Also... You're forgetting that without the record company, the artist would have to pay most of that anyway.

Also... "Big blowout party for their friends:    $ 500" Wow! That's a pretty cheap party. I guess it is BYOB!

[Tony W]

all the numbers in the world don't legitimize piracy

where did i say anything about legitimizing piracy?

My apologies, I just assumed intent since it is the thread subject.

[Saijinn Maas]

Maybe we should change subject to something less prone to conflict, like gun control, animal rights, or Roe vs Wade!

[Oldrottenhead]

i suggest you read steve albini's article guys.

 but musicians and songwriters who want to make music as a living will find new ways of making money. the old way is broken. an ethical argument abut piracy is not gonna change anything. 

[Tony W]

I tried a religion thread once.......

I do like gun control and animal rights in the same grouping. Speaking of grouping, you should have a go with my new .17 HMR it's awesome!