1 illegal download =/= 1 sale. A lot of illegal downloading comes from people who were never going to purchase the product anyway. On the flip side it has been proven repeatedly that a lot of pirate the MPAA and RIAA demonise spend on average more on music/film per annum than the average person does through cinema and concert tickets/merch etc. Illegal downloading can also help drive sales by introducing someone to something new that they would not have tried had they not been able to acquire it for free first.

 

That is the real problem, quantifying the loss to the record industry of piracy.

 

IMO the record industry's notion that every illegal download loses one legitimate sale is absurd - but perhaps no more absurd than the pirates claim that illegal downloads actually *helps* by giving more widespread publicity to an artists work...

 

I think this is perhaps the single most stupid thing I have read on this website. That is no mean feat.

 

I wonder if I should take that as a complement, given the hornets nest some of my own posts have stirred up? :P

I think peoples views on why pay for something when you can get it for nothing and totally understand that but i have to say that thats exactly whats wrong with the economy today it isnt regulated well enough and good economies only work well when everyone plays by the same rules!!

 

This doesnt happen when big corporations can avoid tax and the government AND high street retailers pay it all!!

Edited January 16, 201312 yr by steve201

Basically from this thread I've learnt that the demise of HMV has been because of ALL of the following reasons:

 

• Illegal downloads (I don't care what anyone says, people always ask me why I pay for music when I mention that I bought an album or song)

• Tax loopholes that HMV haven't picked up with their high street stores (I know their online stuff is sent from the Channel Islands)

• Paid downloads (work out cheaper and less wasteful than buying CDs in most cases)

• Streaming (try before you buy or not buy at all)

• Overheads like rent and wages (leading to higher prices than online retailers)

• Not moving with the times and introducing and MP3 store/other initiatives earlier on

 

I don't think anyone should ignore any of those points (I realise they've all been mentioned already!). I do hope that HMV survive, and as others have said, I'm pretty sure at least a bunch of the stores, the website and the brand will be bought by someone. This seems to have got the most media attention of any store going into administration since Woolies, so it's clear there is massive interest in the brand at least. I may buy stuff in the 'blue cross' sale if I spot a bargain, but that's always how it's been, I'm not gonna pay more for something that's cheaper elsewhere!

Not sure if it has been report in this thread but customers have been going into HMV Limerick, taking stock and leaving vouchers. The store had to be closed yesterday because of it.

 

Or at least I read that on the internet.

Edited January 16, 201312 yr by AnthonyT

Basically from this thread I've learnt that the demise of HMV has been because of ALL of the following reasons:

 

• Illegal downloads (I don't care what anyone says, people always ask me why I pay for music when I mention that I bought an album or song)

• Tax loopholes that HMV haven't picked up with their high street stores (I know their online stuff is sent from the Channel Islands)

• Paid downloads (work out cheaper and less wasteful than buying CDs in most cases)

• Streaming (try before you buy or not buy at all)

• Overheads like rent and wages (leading to higher prices than online retailers)

• Not moving with the times and introducing and MP3 store/other initiatives earlier on

I think this is a good summary ;)

I think this is perhaps the single most stupid thing I have read on this website. That is no mean feat.

You've managed to beat "SAUSAGES :magic: " among other gems.

 

 

But there is something in it to be fair.

 

Business Rates are a large part of a bricks & mortar retailer's overheads, while those who ship online product from offshore get all the tax breaks going

Its very sad news :( However on a brighter note i cant wait till they start slashing their prices to sell off stock and I can grab loads of bargains! :yahoo:

But there is something in it to be fair.

 

Business Rates are a large part of a bricks & mortar retailer's overheads, while those who ship online product from offshore get all the tax breaks going

As someone who has studied accounting at university level one can assure you that they do not get tax breaks. They exploit loopholes in the law to avoid paying as much tax as they should. It's called Tax Avoidance. (I prefer to call it legal tax evasion personally as it tends to be hovering on the line between Legal and Illegal most of the time anyway)

On another note, Blockbuster is now in administration. Ffs.

On another note, Blockbuster is now in administration. Ffs.

 

The physical format is getting a battering this week - It really will only be the Supermarkets that will be selling them now if HMV and Blockbuster go.

i went into HMV in London (Leadenhall) today and it was packed! 25% off most things although I generally stream movies on my network now so CD's are no use, same as music - I would need to copy the file to use on my iPhone. Read an article in the paper about someone who advised HMV for 20+ years and they said to the then CEO the risks and he ignored them. Management pay themselves huge salaries and if they do a bad job just retire and let others deal with the fallout.

On another note, Blockbuster is now in administration. Ffs.

 

Next it be bookshops like Waterstones at some point, as the Kindle takes over. I do prefer proper books to read from.

Next it be bookshops like Weatherstones at some point, as the Kindle takes over. I do prefer proper books to read from.

I know nothing about how Waterstones is doing but I would assume it'll be okay for the time being, Kindles haven't been embraced in the same way that mp3 players were and the online store is cheaper than Amazon for some releases so does quite a good trade.

i went into HMV in London (Leadenhall) today and it was packed! 25% off most things although I generally stream movies on my network now so CD's are no use, same as music - I would need to copy the file to use on my iPhone. Read an article in the paper about someone who advised HMV for 20+ years and they said to the then CEO the risks and he ignored them. Management pay themselves huge salaries and if they do a bad job just retire and let others deal with the fallout.

 

 

Member no1! :o

I thought that Blockbuster was in administration? Or did someone else buy the chain? :unsure:

 

Member no1! :o

 

He created the website, so it's understandable. :P

Edited January 16, 201312 yr by Grief

Rumours are and is currentlyrheing reported that the 16 Irish stores could be closed this week.

 

Also the HMV Digital store seems to have escaped being placed into administration as it's still up and running - HMV own 50% of the MP3 store with 7 Digital, Have just made a [potentially] final download from the site - The new 'Bat For Lashes' album for £3.49.

Rumours are and is currentlyrheing reported that the 16 Irish stores could be closed this week.

 

Looks like it has happened already! http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/loc...p-16262150.html I presume the 11 branches in Northern Ireland are part of the UK group and will continue trading in the meantime...

 

Bad times for all my fellow HMV colleagues in Ireland - I'm guessing the stores over there were not profitable or are covered by different laws when a company enters administration meaning the easiest option for HMV was to cease trading in Ireland immediately.

High streets are going to look terrible soon. Really is depressing 10-. 15 years ago thesebusinesses were booming. Just thought....if you have a hmv store card would you still have to pay it. Don't have one but would be interesting to know.

Bad times for all my fellow HMV colleagues in Ireland - I'm guessing the stores over there were not profitable or are covered by different laws when a company enters administration meaning the easiest option for HMV was to cease trading in Ireland immediately.

 

They're in receivership - don't know how (or if) that differs from being in administration but it does say that "It is understood the intention was for the HMV stores in Ireland to be closed on Wednesday on a temporary basis."