GlynMusica - 5:11 pm on Nov 26, 2002 (gmt 0)

"The record cartel has robbed the public and the record artists for years"

I've heard this one before. It is true that artists to get shafted often but that is because they are ignorant of what they are getting into.

And let's face it, when Britney appeared on the scene I don't think we can expect could expect her to be fully versed in the laws the music business. But then that's why they pick them so young!

If an arist has any longevity they usually get their payback on the labels, and once their contracted albums have been completed, bail and write the stuff they really wanted to. Which in some cases means you never hear of the artists again in others, means the you get the real truth.

dvduval - If you think that when artists and music publishes pay money to the like of RIAA or the Harry Fox agency in the states, that it's just about tax, then you are misinformed. Think about trying to collect royalties overseas; about trying to regulate it when you, as an artist, are told by a company in Japan that they are producing 100 copies of your CD on their word (honest guv). I think you'd like something a little more concrete? no, well that's where those people come in.

Downloading music might be "killing the music" industry but it is also opening people to sounds could not have imagined. That's a good thing! It's just I wish they'd sort their act out and come up with a common agreement for online licensing so we could get away from the blame game and move to effective licensing and listening!

I never resented buying records, nor have I felt robbed by record companies. For CD's well perhaps some kind of breaks should have been given to new artists when this medium was introduced so they could feel as though doing their own promotional push would not cost the earth.

That's my money's worth.