Which Music Industry Am I Supporting?

3-10-08 Which Music Industry Am I Supporting?

So far in 2008, I’ve bought approx. 160 titles. Most of them used. I believe I was given a Christmas gift that full retail price was paid for – but I can’t confirm it, and I won’t count it. I can confirm that I have spent at least JPY 15,220 (at approx. 106 yen to US$1) on new goods (2,940 yen of Italian origin, 3,780 yen of U.S. origin and 8,500 yen of French origin). A little later on, I bought another Japanese CD (of British origin) that was ‘not used’ – for approx. 2,300 yen. On February 12, 2008 – I can actually state that I paid $9.98 for a new CD (at a Target store). Approx. US$175.26 of my money went to ‘the music industry’ – as yet, only $9.98 directly to the U.S. music industry.

Italian origin, Japanese CD = $27.75 (Purchased from Japan, via a U.S. company)

U.S. origin, Japanese CD = $35.66 (Purchased from Japan, via a U.S. company)

French origin, Japanese CD = $80.18 (Purchased from Japan, via a U.S. company)

U.K. origin, Japanese CD = $21.69 (Purchased from Japan, via a U.S. company)

U.S. origin, U.S. CD = $9.98 (Purchased from a U.S. company – is Sony-BMG Japanese-owned?, via a U.S. company “Target”)

So, $165.28 went to Japanese (mostly) major labels, $9.98 went to a Japanese-owned U.S. major label (Sony-BMG). 8 CD’s out of 160. 1/20^th of my purchases actually supported any ‘music business’. Or about $2.92 per day (over two months), to any ‘music industry’ (which seems to be mostly Japanese, as it were).

The used / swap meet stuff I bought supported whoever was selling it to me. Retailers probably bought the stuff that they sold me from individuals, not from ‘the music industry’. A typical instance is something like: I pay $3 for a used CD (which is new / sealed) that has a suggested retail of $19.98 – what did that retailer pay for it? $1.50? The person who sold it to the retailer (i.e. the re-seller) – they probably got it for free – why else would they accept such a small amount for it? And it’s no secret (in L.A. anyway) that LOTS of ‘stolen’ product gets sold to retailers (re-sellers). You think they check I.D. like they’re supposed to? I’ve seen the people from labels / distributors with CARTONS of ‘new’ titles being ‘traded in’ @ ________ on Sunset Blvd. in Hollywood. Just like “the good old days”.

I pay approx. $20 per month for internet access. I do not have a cell phone, but I pay approx. $50 per month to “the telephone company”. Gasoline is $3.15 per gallon (for the kind I use).

The U.S. CD I purchased? The 25^th Anniversary edition of “Thriller” by Michael Jackson, a CD + DVD set, $9.98 on the day it was released, at the Target by my house. $15.98 price tag on the front, rang up $9.98 (as advertised). Out of my $10, ‘x’ amount went to replication, I presume something went to MJJ. Target had to make something on the sale. Sony’s gotta get something. 8.25% sales tax was paid – but the State of California isn’t exactly the ‘music industry’, is it? Well, not yet, anyway. Gee, I sure would love to see how that $9.98 breaks down – I mean, ALL THE WAY. Who did I actually ‘support’? What about that truck that brought ‘em in?

P.S. Second time I’ve bought “Thriller” (see photo).