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Aug 10, 2004 Which is worse, two humongous companies merging, the European Commission agreeing to the merger, or the Federal Trade Commission agreeing to it? Doesn't matter, they're all together on this debacle. A trend that has grown in recent memory, yet is not a baby at all, is when one billion dollar company merges with another, to supposedly establish "a dynamic new company that will be deeply dedicated to serving the needs of its artists, while at the same time enriching the lives of music lovers around the world." How can anyone believe that? The FTC's Mozelle Thompson had reservations, and hopes that retailers ensure that this new mega-monster can be controlled. But I only hope that consumers wise up to the offerings. We will be seeing a lot more teeny grrls (sic) and little boy groups on TV and on the record shelves. In order for the new Sony BMG to recover from the merger, they will layoff thousands, and pump out insane amounts of useless tunes and price-jacked discs. If we cannot limit our spending, then the big guys win. Sony BMG will have almost 25% of the market, along with Universal (running just over 25%), and EMI and Warner with 25% combined, and our saviors, the indies, swamping around with the rest. How long do we have till these Commissions that are suppose to protect us, allow another, larger merger? What will we do when someone is controlling 50% of all of our music, not to mention radio which is becoming Big Brother-like already? Who is really going to stand up for us when we won't stand up for ourselves? Perhaps this deal will become a fiasco like BMG's purchase of Napster; if that is at all possible. The only left to do, is write to those that 'serve' us. And hope that louder, more powerful voices do not drown us. ------------ About the author: Jim Cripps is a writer and lamenter, who has been active for over 20 years, and hibernating for nearly 15. His Web address is http://adjandadv.20megsfree.com/ Email: jimcripps@hotmail.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ |
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