Thinking about selling my CD collection = MP3

Again, it's a little disheartening seeing so many supposed music lovers who don't even think twice about contributing to the widespread screwing of recording musicians (this applies particularly to those who aren't selling out arenas and selling millions of albums). As far as I'm concerned we all need to do everything we can to get the artists that we like paid, or else the labels are going to stop supporting good, original music all together in favor of groups that have a proven track record of making tons of money. I hear people complain daily about the lack of quality music and anything but cookie cutter bands coming from the big labels, and the reason why we got here is because the types of artists we like aren't making money for the labels (which means the artists REALLY aren't making money). This is really much more of an ethical question than a legal one. The cops aren't going to bust down your door for ripping your CDs and then selling the originals, but you're not exactly helping the artists or our cause either.

If you bought the cd, it is yours. Copying it for resale is unlawful. Copying it for personal use is not. Copying it for personal use and then deciding to sell the cd, seems to me a gray area.

I think that RIAA has created a red herring about the artists. Mainly it is the record companies wanting to get more money through selling more cds.

I would not sell my cds as I think MP3 is crap and someday you might come to agree. Your kids grow up too fast and come to appreciate your music.

My lay opinion is with Neil. If he sold the copy he'd be in trouble. The CD belongs to him and he can sell it if he likes. Have you considered going to law scholl?

The RIAA has NOT created a red herring about artists. It's true that the record labels make the vast majority of the money from each CD sale, but the fact is that artists need CD sales that much more in order to make money. As I said above, if a CD fails to sell enough copies to recoup all of the costs associated with recording, manufacturing, and marketing the album, an artist can end up OWING the record company money at the end of the day. Furthermore, every time a label takes a risk on an artist who isn't just a rehash of all the other drivel on the market (in other words supports an artist that is more likely to be an audiophile favorite), they're less likely to take any more chances if the venture doesn't pan out. Like any other BUSINESS, the recording industry is all about profit, and if you don't put your dollars behind your opinion and tastes, you're going to see yourself under, or god forbid un-represented in the market. The only way we can really effectively shape the course of the recording industry is by buying what we like. Nobody is going to release the records you want to hear unless there's a sizable market, and unless you're happy with limited release, overpriced audiophile pressings as your only source of your favorite music (which will also go away if not supported), you should be doing all that you can to speak your mind through your purchases.

Again, please don't do more to dilute the market and devalue what brings us all to this forum and others like it - music - by selling your CDs but retaining the music that they hold. Would you want someone purchasing whatever product or service you offer, and then selling it while retaining a duplicate?

Copying it for personal use and then deciding to sell the cd, seems to me a gray area.

Yes very gray. If you search around (see my link above) you'll see all kinds of opinions.

A. You pay $15 for a new CD, keep a copy, and sell the original for $5.

B. Somebody else pays $15 for a new CD and sells you a copy for $10.

In both cases the end result is exactly the same:

...you have a copy and are out $10
...the other person has the original and is out $5.

yet some feel that A is OK and B is wrong.