RIAA Under Pressure; Could Disappear
Is the RIAA as we know it about to disappear? As rumors continue to swirl that EMI will pull its funding from music trade groups like the RIAA and IFPI, an IFPI spokesman says that the group is in the middle of a major internal review of its operations.
That review will include a look at the “structure and operation of the organization and its relationship with the national groups, with a view to finding greater efficiencies and cutting costs,” we’re told. That leaves open the possibility that the review could lead to a merger of the IFPI and RIAA. If that happens, the “RIAA” might disappear even as its work continues.
Variety.com claims that EMI will pull funding from the trade groups by March 31 unless major changes are made. Consolidating the two groups appears to be one of the options on the table. Losing one of its four pillars would come as a huge blow to both the IFPI and the RIAA.
EMI was the first of the majors to drop DRM at iTunes and Amazon, moves that have made its digital music a more attractive option. But if EMI can force a restructuring of the IFPI and RIAA, the impact could be just as significant for the industry.
Kyle said:
Best news I have heard in a long time.
January 12th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
ender said:
Now if we could only find a way to keep their ridiculous attorneys from ever finding work again….
January 12th, 2008 at 6:06 pm
Chris said:
Odds are the reason EMI is pulling their funding is because the firm that owns them now is all about cut backs
January 12th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Lucas said:
It is good news, but Chris is probably right. I’d say it’s to do w/ money as it always is and they’re just cutting back therefore leading to this. Honestly, I think the world would be a better place w/out the RIAA, but we wouldn’t have anything to rant about
January 12th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
pen said:
I don’t really see how this changes anything. If the IFPI and RIAA merge, wouldn’t the IFPI just take over the RIAA’s work? It wouldn’t necessarily stop what the RIAA does, it would just be coming from a different source. Correct me if I’m wrong about this.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:38 pm
Mike said:
*crosses fingers*
January 12th, 2008 at 9:13 pm
ohgreat said:
I could die of laughter at any minute after reading this post. Exchanging insults + blows ain’t the way to hack at people for downloading illegally. They need to join the league. Get with the REAL program, idiots!
I think I feel better though that they’re getting their act together is the best solution to resolve the situation they’re in. But then again, I HATE mergers. They’re confusing, indeed.
January 12th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
pen said:
Are you youknow? Because your posts have the same consistency.
January 13th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Mike said:
Ha ha ha, I was thinking the same thing about the quality of their posts.
January 13th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Fred said:
Agree ^^
January 13th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
Fred said:
I think youknow and ohgreat should merge, because their posts are confusing, indeed.
January 13th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
ohgreat said:
I hate logging in when your password don’t work no more, so the switch had to be made. Otherwise, give me a fucking break. I’m nutty and I don’t like mergers overall, tit for tat.
January 13th, 2008 at 7:38 pm