Oh, my ears: 115,000 CDs flooding libraries

Tue., June 8, 2004

David Ammons Associated Press

OLYMPIA — More than 115,000 music CDs are flooding Washington schools, colleges and libraries this week, ranging from jazz and classical to Springsteen and hip-hop, as part of a consumer protection settlement with the recording industry.

The windfall will double or triple the size of many libraries’ collections, the attorney general’s office said.

The titles were selected by music experts and educators for their lasting significance, and aren’t just warehouse rejects or overstock, said spokeswoman Lori Takahashi.

Attorney General Christine Gregoire, who says she’s partial to records like the rock standard “Louie, Louie” by the Kingsmen, announced the settlement Monday at the Educational Service District office in Burien.

The ESD office is handing out over 25,000 compact discs to schools in King and Pierce counties and Bainbridge Island.

The CDs aren’t a public giveaway; the titles will be loaned to patrons, just as books and music are currently circulated with a library card.

Washington was one of 43 states that sued several music distributors and recording companies, alleging price fixing. The companies were accused of penalizing companies such as Target, Best Buy and Circuit City for offering cheaper CDs by withholding advertising reimbursement if they cut prices.

“In a fair market, you can’t do that,” Gregoire said.

The penalty amounted to 23 cents per CD, Takahashi said.

The industry agreed to pay out $67 million to consumers — including $13.86 checks that 213,000 Washington customers got a few months ago. The CD giveaway to schools, colleges and libraries will cost the industry an estimated $76 million.

Librarians are delighted to be able to beef up their collections with quality labels, Takahashi said.

“This is music that will have lasting worth for the public — all different genres, everything from classical to grunge. Big band, Ella Fitzgerald, Sinatra, Pearl Jam, comedy, rock, country, blues, roots music from Italy and Africa and different cultures, sound tracks, pop, children’s and holiday.

“These are not titles you’d just want to throw away.”

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