EMI Might Not Like The RIAA Very Much
from the distancing-yourself dept
Kevin Stapp writes in to point to the rumor making the rounds that EMI is considering scaling back how much it supports the RIAA and IFPI financially. While this is positioned mainly as a cost-savings move, it could have much larger ramifications. EMI, of course, has actually been shifting slowly away from some of the more troubling positions of the RIAA. It was the first major label to sell DRM-free tracks on iTunes. More importantly, it was recently taken private by a private equity firm, whose bosses don't seem beholden to the old way of doing business, and are willing to rethink the business. For example, when Radiohead began its experiment with "name your own pricing," the CEO of that private equity firm used it as a call to action for the company to start thinking creatively about new ways to distribute music -- rather than trying to diminish its importance as the other record labels did.
If EMI lowers its funding of the RIAA and the IFPI it's basically an (all too late) admission, that the strategies of those two organizations are not helping EMI achieve its long term goals. This shouldn't be surprising, as it's been obvious for nearly a decade now that the RIAA's focus was solely on short-term goals at the expense of any long-term vision. Many people have pointed this out over the years, and people would respond that the RIAA was simply doing what the labels wanted it to do (even if those actions, like pissing off a huge number of fans) was incredibly damaging to the labels' own long-term prospects. EMI pulling back funding shows that even it no longer thinks the RIAA's actions are in its best interests.
Reader Comments (rss)
(Flattened / Threaded)
by Anonymous Coward on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 10:14am
In other news, hell just froze over...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Good start! by TriZz on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 10:49am
I'm happy to read this. Perhaps now, they'll use that RIAA money as a means of investing in a fresh business strategy to embrace the digital age.
...I might even consider buying music from them now.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by NovaScotian on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 11:10am
It's called remembering what your business really is.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: AC#1 by Old Guy on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 11:15am
Which is great, because now that flying pig will have a smooth place to land
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Good start, but... by GeneralEmergency on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 11:17am
...I'm waiting for the tipping point where the non-RIAA/IFPI labels and independants will band together and create an "RIAA Free" trade mark that must appear on CD packaging and next to individual download listings so CONSUMERS can help hasten the demise of these despised organizations.
And then I'll start wanting to see the country of origin of all gasoline I pump into my car at the pump, too!
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Good start! by Mark on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 11:24am
As opposed to stealing it, or you haven't purchased any tracks from artists under EMI distribution?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: Re: AC#1 by Anonymous Coward on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 11:40am
And the Bengals will get the wild card allowing them to play in the playoffs resulting in winning the SoupRbowl (not allowed to use the real name)
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
if they keep making the right moves by matt on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 12:50pm
things may be looking way up for EMI at this rate. Who cares if the rest fail if EMI gets it right, means darwinism is affecting businesses as it should. RIAA has already set themselves up for death throes as it is, albeit way long down the road.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Monarch on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 12:55pm
"...I might even consider buying music from them now."
I'll consider it when the RIAA quits suing it's fans, or EMI STOPS ALL Funding to the RIAA.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
And the winds of change begin to blow... by Wolferz on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 12:57pm
It was inevitable that something like this would happen. Indie artists were first and they were over looked. Major established artists were next and people took note. Judges are no longer blindly accepting the RIAAs lies. Now an entire label is signaling it's discontent with RIAA practices. This I take as a firm signal that a turning point in this war has been reached.
"Blow, wind! come, wrack!" indeed...
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Re: by Wolferz on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 1:00pm
The whip might provide a powerful tool when ones charges has been wrong. However, without also a carrot when they are right the whip only breeds in them a desire to rebel.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
by Another Lost Customer on Nov 29th, 2007 @ 8:40pm
Actions speak louder than words ...
The RIAA, once known for setting standards, is now contaminated by a bunch of high paid greedy lawyers with a common agenda, "lawsuits are job security". Could they have suggested this same idea to their friends at SCO ?
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Publicity stunt? by SteveD on Nov 30th, 2007 @ 1:45am
This could just be to generate a bit of positive press.
Given the fuss over the single mother who was sued for stupid money, its not really supprisiong that EMI would want to distance themselfs.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
EMI by Killer_Tofu on Nov 30th, 2007 @ 8:03am
Just scaling back the funding?
They should cut them off entirely.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
RIAA and Online by Steve on Dec 2nd, 2007 @ 11:28am
If they had embraced online 10 years ago, they be making billions off of it and nobody would bat an eyelash about it. Instead they tried to convince everyone that it was inferior and when that didn't work they attacked it. One fine day a workable business model is going to emerge and someone is going to say to themselves...
"we should have implemented this a decade ago."
FACT.
(reply to this comment) (link to this comment)
Add Your Comment