Tuesday, May 6, 2003 could be a turning point in the contentious history of recording artists and record labels. On that day, hundreds of American musicians will converge on Albany, NY in support of the Artistic Freedom Act of 2003. If passed, the bill would give artists unprecedented freedom in negotiating and terminating recording contracts.
Answering last week's "Vote," many of you indicated that you buy new in a store, but buy used on-line. If that's true of you, where do you like to shop for used audio gear on the Internet?
Federal judges have issued somewhat conflicting rulings in the ongoing legal battle over illegitimate file sharing. As the situation stands at the end of April, individuals may be held responsible for copyright violation, but the services they use in the process may not.
Consolidation is a fact of modern corporate life, but the consumer electronics industry has generally bucked this trend and remained relatively fragmented. Notable exceptions include Harman International and Rockford Corporation (which recently acquired loudspeaker manufacturer NHT)—now it's time to add <A HREF="http://www.dm-holdings.com">D&M Holdings</A> to that sparse list.
Recent financial reports from the consumer electronics industry are all over the map, with some manufacturers reporting declines while others report gains. Sony and Samsung have both posted losses, but Toshiba and JVC made money. Pioneer is holding steady.
Digital jitter was a lively topic in the mid-'90s, and the <A HREF="http://www.stereophile.com//digitalsourcereviews/824/">Genesis Technologies Digital Lens</A> was created to tame it. Robert Harley reviews the product and explains why the Lens became an essential part of his system at the time. JA adds comments.
Online music is inching its way toward commercial viability.
At one time the music industry was known as a cultural force. It could excite the public and change the course of history, even prodding some governments to attempt censorship. These days, the record labels themselves are acting more and more like a police force, looking for ways to restrict and control how music consumers behave.
Last week's Soapbox highlighted the debate between folks who would rather buy from a bricks-and-mortar retailer and those who wouldn't. Does purchasing audio products over the Internet appeal to you?