What exactly is the RIAA?

Posted on October 17, 2007 by Eric Hebert
Filed Under Music Industry Analysis |

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If you’re eyes are glued to a computer screen every day like mine are, and you’ve been following music industry news as of late, you the industry is in turmoil. Cd sales are continue to fall, and new business models are emerging.

Much of this news involves the very serious issue of the RIAA cracking down on those who are sharing music illegally via peer-to-peer networks like Kazaa and Limewire.

But what is the RIAA exactly? People throw the acronym around like they actually know what the hell it is or what they are talking about. Everyone is quick to talk shit on the RIAA without really knowing what it is they do or what they’re all about.

Kinda reminds me of how many treat the government. They talk talk talk about how they’re doing wrong when they don’t even understand how it all works.

Now understand, I’m not supporting the RIAA - my goal here is just to inform y’all about them so we all can have a little more background when we talk shit on them in the future

What does the RIAA stand for? The Recording Industry Association of America

It is their “mission is to foster a business and legal climate that supports and promotes our members’ creative and financial vitality”, and (according to them I might add) “create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 90% of all legitimate sound recordings produced and sold in the United States”.

Basically, the RIAA makes sure that no one misuses a recording artist’s copywritten music, lyrics, artwork, etc. If you’re signed with a label that is a memeber of the RIAA, and I decide to steal your song, then it’s the RIAA who will send it’s lawyers to hunt my ass down.

It’s the “mob” of the recording industry, and if I’m a recording artist, I might want them in my side. It’s protection.

The RIAA also takes care of giving out sales awards (you know, Gold, Platinum, etc.)

In addition, they’re also the people who put those annoying “Parental Advisory” stickers on your CD’s

If you want RIAA protection, you’ll need to have ISRC, or The International Standard Recording Codes attached to your albums. This is how they keep track of who’s who in the biz. It is “comprised of a 12 character alpha-numeric code, the ISRC functions as a digital “fingerprint” for a sound recording and/or music video recording”, and is attached to the actual recording.

So as you can see, the RIAA is important. If you’re a major label, with all kinds of people to worry about (shareholders), then you’ve got to be a member, ’cause you need to protect your assets (the music you’re selling). And the RIAA has to do it’s part by protecting that music.

The problem occurring today, is HOW FAR the RIAA should go in protecting that music. Kind of like HOW FAR this country should go to protect its freedom.

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