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Piracy is Progressive Taxation and Other Thoughts

Piracy is Progressive Taxation and Other Thoughts on the Evolution of Online Distribution. by Tim O’Reilly

Reader comments

GeofApr 23, 2003 at 12:41PM

O'Reilly nailed something that I've been thinking about as I really get to know independent artists in Nashville [specifically, the "Christian music" scene]: they all hate the record companies, but the only way to get high distribution of your material right now is to go through them. Of course, these channels are threatened by this new medium, so they're necessarily scared.

Part of me--the iconoclast that hates A&R guys who screw over people I'd like to think of as my friends--wants to circumvent these dorks. But then you get the "what then?" syndrome--if you kill the RIAA membership, who, what, and how will distribute stuff in the new medium?

Frankly, I've not a clue, and the only place that I can think of to look for analogs is radio --> TV and railroad --> highways ... and that may be absolute crap. Anybody?

dowingaMay 07, 2003 at 10:15AM

Clubs --> Major label and Living room --> prison.

(no one will ever see this comment)

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.