Re:What is needed... (Score 1)

The mentioned model is admirable. It is all about cutting out the middle-man. The RIAA are looking after their own profit and interests, but the artists need to collectively stand up for themselves. How much of the price that you pay for a CD is related to production of the cd/jewelcase/printed material? How many songs on the album do you really want? It is all about choice, and the Internet as a legitimate distribution channel is long overdue. Artists need a portal where people come to get their music. Albums are laid out where you can: - find complete albums easily - sample each song on an album - download and print album art - download/purchase one or all tracks for a "fair" price A small amount of money goes to the portal service , and the rest goes to the artist. Materials/Manufacturing costs , such as the CD creation/cover/case are paid by the end user, if they so choose to create a CD. For my own part, as soon as I purchase a CD, it is ripped because I always take such good care of CD's. So the artists get their cut, the portal service get their costs covered, and the customer gets the choice of supporting the artists they like without wondering how much really go to the artist in the end anyways.