Leader: 'Grey import' row smacks of desperation

The news this week that Amazon.com may be investigated by the British Phonographic Industry for shipping cheaper overseas CDs to British customers is just the latest example of the music and film industry's failure to adapt to the changes that the internet and new technology has brought about.

The BPI is already investigating CD Wow and Play.com and its attempt to now finger Amazon for supposedly undercutting exorbitant UK prices with cheap imports smacks just a little of desperation.

The same is happening in the US with the RIAA's long-running battle with the file-sharing community. And while we don't condone or support the abuse of any artist's copyright, the fact is file-sharing has become so popular because of both the high prices charged for CDs with two singles and 10 filler tracks and the industry's failure to come up with it's own viable model for selling downloads online to consumers.

The beauty of the internet for consumers over here in the UK is that they can now scour the web for cheaper and cheaper versions of a CD by their favourite artist without having to go into HMV and pay £15. What is the BPI's next move? To start suing consumers who buy these grey imports?

Another example of pricing differences this week has forced Apple to reconsider its UK pricing for the new mini-iPod after it was revealed the US version would retail for almost £40 less at £160. Similar price discrepancies are seen in other areas too.

There is a balance that has to be struck between squeezing prices so much that it hits the quality of the product - and leaves original content creators with little incentive - and making prices more competitive but it is clear that most people in the UK feel they pay too much for CDs and DVDs compared to the rest of the world.

One silicon.com reader echoed the sentiments of many others with the comment: "Maybe we need an EU investigation of pricing of CDs and DVDs, and why exactly are they so much cheaper elsewhere."

The message for the industry is clear. Forget frivolous and pointless litigation and focus instead on bringing prices down and producing better quality offerings by taking advantage of the internet and technology, not blaming it.