From: utzoo!decvax!yale-com!brunix!pss
Newsgroups: net.music
Title: Re: tape tax
Article-I.D.: brunix.1594
Posted: Fri Feb 18 12:29:12 1983
Received: Sun Feb 20 05:14:35 1983
References: nmtvax.192

	The record companies' desire to tax blank tapes is merely another
of their misdirected attempts to find a scapegoat for their declining sales.
The "side issues" that Greg Titus mentioned are the real problems.
	I tape almost every record I buy.  Tapes can be played in portable
units.	Records can't.  Furthermore, the records manufactured today can not
withstand repeated (i.e. more than one) playings without sustaining noticeable
damage.  If tapes were to cost more, I would probably buy fewer records.
	Occasionally I will tape a record that belongs to a friend, or
(horrors!) off the radio.  Usually, if I enjoy the tape I will buy other
records by the same artist.  I know other people act similarly; "home taping"
often encourages record-buying.
	If the record companies need to find reasons for slumping sales, they
shouldn't have to look too hard.  Compare the physical quality of records
released today, as compared with those released, say, in the sixties.  Today's
recording process results in a much better sound, but it is wasted on the
garbage into which it is pressed.  Bubbles, surface blemishes, and warps are
standard.  If I were to return every record that wasn't near-perfect, I'd
deplete the stock of every record store in town.
	As for what is cut into the grooves, well, it's hard to be objective,
but certain trends can be seen quite easily.  Notice which artists get the
greatest amount of PR.	The established million-sellers, of course.  That's
because the record companies are generally unwilling to take chances on new
talent, unless they can prove themselves to be salable (a Catch-22).  No
wonder most of today's fresh new music comes from Europe.  (Naturally, imports
cost more). Meanwhile, the record companies wonder why fewer people buy the
latest high-priced (to pay the artist) album by some stale platinum group.

	Sorry for using so many bytes.	It's just that this has bothered me for
a long time, and I'd hate to see home taping lose its desireability.  (Or
legality).

				Paul Strauss, Brown Univ.
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