RJT> The issue of somebody going into a studio to produce a
RJT> product is a little different. But it doesn't cost them
RJT> anywhere near as much as they're charging for it, and the
RJT> record industry charging more for a CD than they do for a
RJT> tape is an irritant, particularly since it's cheaper for
RJT> them to produce it!

 I don't LIKE paying more for a CD, but it IS worth
more to some, so they'll pay. I can't complain too
loudly over this one.

CA> This is the regulated free enterprise Americans love to brag
CA> about until one groups manages to control a market and profit
CA> by that control. ;-)

 That's fine, to a point. But, using the government
to block your competition is crossing the line.

CA> The Canadian entertainment industry has been blocked for many
CA>years from markets in the USA and that is also unfortunate for
CA>all of us.

 It appears that you agree.

CA> --8<--cut

CA> I agree they have priced the music beyond what I am willing to
CA> pay for it. Video tapes seem _almost_ reasonable most of the
CA> time with new releases dropping in price quite rapidly around
CA> here.

RJT> The actual cost of physically producing a music cd is
RJT> maybe $2, tops, when you're talking about the medium
RJT> itself, and the packaging. On top of that there's the
RJT> compensation for the folks who designed the cover art and
RJT> such, the people involved in all stages of the process
RJT> from recording, producing, making the actual end product,
RJT> and so forth, but even adding all of that up we're still
RJT> being asked to pay too much.

CA> I agree it's gone too far.

RJT> Mass production is supposed to be cheaper than one-time
RJT> shots, right? Then how come it's so much cheaper for an
RJT> individual to make a copy than it is to buy one? Until
RJT> they fix _that_, there won't be any change in this
RJT> situation...

CA> They are free to charge what people are willing to pay. If they
CA> could get $100 per CD there are no laws against that.

 I don't have a problem with that. I have a problem
with using law to stop competition that would make
things cost what they are worth, rather than "what
traffic will allow".

 TTYL.

 Robert

 * SLMR 2.1a * We're The Rolling Borg. We can't get no...assim-i-la-tion
--- Platinum Xpress/Win/WINServer v3.0pr5