Ed₃

You’ve heard about the RIAA and it’s rampant suing of those who illegally download music. Whether you agree with their action or not, the RIAA’s need to take legal action is symptomatic of a fundamental problem in the music marketplace. The problem is simple, the industry is not moving with the times and is clinging to old business models and old ideas which no longer apply in the 21st century.

If you’re angered by anti competitive rubbish then look no further than the BBC’s article on opposition to discount CDs. The ability to source products at a lower price than your competitors is an aspect of competition and competition is what drives business forward. The argument that such practice should be outlawed in order to preserve the humble corner record store is ludicrous. It is tantamount to price fixing and anti competitive practice as it allows prices to remain artificially high and businesses which would otherwise fail to compete to flourish.

The business world is not about a “level playing field”. If all businesses were the same, consumers wouldn’t get much choice, would they?