You and your brother own a goat at 50/50. Your brother is also a member of a society that sells goats called (lets call it GCSK J ). One morning your brother goes to GCSK and tells them he has a goat and they tell him, we can sell the goat. They take the goat and sell it. You return home and your brother tells you BTW, I sold the goat….and he tells you…I was paid my 50% and directs you to go to GCSK to get your money. At GCSK, they tell you, if you are not a member we can’t pay you! Further, they tell you, after 3 yrs any money we collect that belongs to non-members “evaporates” – well not in those words exactly!
What I read here is of an industry or at least a section of it that has completely refused to evolve with the times. The traditional market-place underwent a major transformation. Why would I in this day and age want to buy a full CD if I just need or like one song in the full CD? I guess part of the losses and infringements that are reported here are part because of the rigidity in the industry in embracing the mix and mash. For a musician or producer, why would you want to sell CDs when the sale of individual songs out-performs the sale of complete CDs? Having said that, I do not get the issue of 'licensing a limited number of duplicates'. --James