Joe Levi:
a cross-discipline, multi-dimensional problem solver who thinks outside the box – but within reality™

RARA = Beginning of the End of the RIAA?

Could it be that the artists and record labels are finally catching on to the idea that the RIAA’s mafia tactics are hurting consumer relationships and ultimately hurting their business?

March 31, 2007 (Hollywood, CA) – Music industry executives announced this morning that they were withdrawing support for the trade group the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and launching a new representative body called Respect the Artist, Respect the Audience (RARA).

The move comes in the wake of a perceived failure of the RIAA to achieve its goals of fostering a business and legal climate that supports and promotes its members’ creative and financial vitality. The RIAA has in recent years become synonymous with the industry’s flagging business models and poor reputation with music fans. Recently the RIAA was ranked as the least popular business organization is the USA.

RARA spokesperson, Jeff Mutton said, “The major labels will no longer fight technology but embrace it. The creation of RARA demonstrates that the industry has listened, that it believes it has identified a new way of engaging the audience to increase revenues for the labels and the artists. We realize selling high quality audio without DRM, and in formats unencumbered by software patents, we will give audiences the music they want in the formats they want. Music fans will also know that through RARA, a higher portion of royalties from any online music sale will reach the artist, because, lets face it, selling digital files over the net have a higher margin than CDs sold in a store.”

What do you think? Is RARA just the RIAA in sheeps clothing? Will RARA be able to clear up the black-eye that the RIAA has left the music industry with? Is RARA even a real entity? Or is this just an early April Fool’s prank.

If you guessed the latter, a cruel, cruel April Fool’s prank dated March 31st, you’re right. This one got me. 🙁

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