25 The Daily Collegian Industry revs up used CD controversy By JASON CHERKIS Collegian Arts Writer City Lights Records Manager Ken Kubala compares it to General Motors trying to abolish the used-car business. Blue Train Compact Disc employee Jay Williams likened it to furniture companies combing neighborhoods for yard sales and asking for royalties. The it is the current controversy over the selling of used compact discs. Although mom-and-pop record stores such as Arboria Books and Records, 151 S. Allen St., and City Lights Records, 316 E. College Ave., have been selling used CDs (and used records and tapes) for years, label executives just started fussing about them. According to Billboard mag azine's March 20 issue, at the annual National Association of Recording Merchandisers convention, dis tributors such as Sony Music Dis tribution, Time Warner Inc.'s WEA and Thorn-EMl's CEMA threat ened sanctions against stores sell ing used CDs. By midsummer, MCA Music's UNI had joined the fold. The Washington Post then reported that the major distributors have refused to pay for co-op advertis ing to any store selling used CDs. Co-op advertising includes any radio and print advertisements, circu lars, in-store play, "no-risk" discs and other promotional tools. Polka! The Polka Revolution plays at the 27th Annual Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts. The Arts Festival was quite successful, as was its counterpart, the upstart People's Choice Festival, held in Boals burg. People's Choice was a response by local artists who said the Arts Festival makes little room for them. Flick shop Lee Strawbridge, left, and Darius Ramsey, both age 17 from Harrisburg, work on their documentary project as part of the Minority Film Workshop. Youths from all over the state came to the various culture camps this summer sponsored by the University. Labels and distributors believe the used-CD industry would reduce purchases of new CDs. Also, art ists do not receive royalities from resold albums. The industry's bloodletting heated up when Garth Brooks sprang into the ring. Brooks spoke up in favor of the labels' action, announcing that Liberty Records, the company that distributes his albums, wouldn't ship his upcoming album In Pieces to any record store selling used CDs. That would have included City Lights the store has five used Brooks CDs on sale. Brooks later retracted his threat. Record companies should Ibought a used compact disc. I'll admit it, I'm guilty. No, Garth, I didn't pick up your Ropin' the Wind album or your enchanting Christmas compilation. I bought Sonic Youth's Goo for $8.99 at City Lights on June 17, 1991. Why do I remember the exact date? I don't know, maybe it was because I got such a good deal. I don't remember ever leaving the record store thinking, "Wow, I just ripped off the record companies. What a deal!" Before you start sending donations to the Save Sonic Youth From Poverty Founda tion, understand that the record industry is the most bloated enterprise in the United States except for our own government. Sonic While you were gone... Local record stores have been defiant throughout the controver sy. City Lights, Arboria and Blue Train Compact Disc, 418 E. College Ave., all continue to sell and buy back used CDs. Record store employees said the distributors' action doesn't really affect them because they use minimal co-op advertising and don't order albums directly from the labels. "I think the labels are shooting themselves in the foot," Kubala said. "If (customers) don't know a product is out, they won't buy it." Kubala compares this latest controversy to the debate over blank tapes in the early 'Bos and parallel My Opinion Youth's record company, DGC, would probably spend it on limosine service to haul the band to and from its next video shoot. Record execs and Garth Brooks (Frank Black's evil twin?) are trying to lay a guilt complex on the public and its free-think ing, independent record stores. Brooks comes on that classy television show "Entertain ment Tonight," confiding to Mary Hart how he just wants his record label to make a profit, he's looking out for his label's best interest in denouncing used CDs. I thought he was Collegian Photo/Hakim X imports the buying of imported albums that are out of print in the United States although U.S. com panies still own the albums' rights in the mid-'Bos. "Before pointing the finger, the record companies should look more internally than externally," Kubala said, addilig that the sale of used CDs makes up 1 percent of the record industry, a reportedly $9 billion business. Because of the recession and the increasing suggested retail price of new CDs (new ones like Janet Jackson's latest sell for $16.98), the market for used CDs is expanding complaining, improve product stop going to cry I thought I was going to puke. Instead, I just muted the cowboy. I think we can all rest easy knowing Brooks and Sonic Youth make enough money to open up their own record stores if they want to. The consumer always pays for the whims of the artists and the corporations that own them. It should be the other way around, it is the bigwigs up at WEA (made up of Warner Bros. Records, Elektra Records, Alantic Records and others) and Sony who deserve a fat slab of guilt. I urge you to write WEA and Sony and ask them why they list the suggested retail price of CDs at $16.98 and plan to mark them up to $17.98 when they cost about a buck to make. Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1993 in State College and elsewhere. "Almost everyday, people would walk in ask, 'Do you sell used CDs?'. We'd say 'no' and they'd walk out," said Blue Train owner Bruce Shamma. Blue Train just started selling and buying back used CDs this summer. Kubala said the uproar began because major chains like the Cal ifornia-based Wherehouse Records started selling used CDs. Bruce Jesse, vice president of marketing at Wherehouse Enter tainment, said the chain gradually implemented used CD sales since last Please see DISCS, Page 37. The hardcore rap act Onyx came to Players, 112 W. College Ave., in the interim between the end of summer session and the beginning of the fall semester. Despite having technical difficulties and a late start, the show gave the crowd more than a few good slams. Players, however, suffered considerable damage and probably won't invite the group back. Music, especially rock 'n' roll, should be affordable to the mass public. With a recession still in bloom, most people I know can only afford to get their rocks off to the used variety. Used CDs are a cheap alternative to people who need quick cash and don't feel like spending corporate prices. Heck, where else can you get three bucks for that Europe disc you bought in the seventh grade? Contrary to what Brooks and the labels would have you believe, it is legal. Once a new CD is bought, the royalties are paid to the artist. The CD is then the property of its owner. The owner can do what he wants with it. He or she can sell it back, use it as a coaster, it doesn't matter. Garth having Please see COLUMN, Page 37. Da Onyx was here Garth Brooks Collegian Photo/Mark Pfaff
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