A quick read of the complaint in the Allman Bros/Cheap Trick lawsuit against Sony BMG leaves this correspondent ready to issue a summary judgment. The only problem with that is we would be denied the delicious opportunity to hear what Sony has to say for itself.

In paying only roughly four of every ninety-nine cents, Sony uses the following arithmetic. First, they pay on only 85% of sales. This is to allow for free and reduced price goods, breakage and returns. (I know a lot of my MP3's come broken, and many consumers must take advantage of that liberal iTunes Music Store return policy!)

Next, they deduct twenty five percent from the gross, for manufacturing and packaging expenses. (I know I really dig the fancy package that my MP3's come wrapped up in. And, they're so much easier to open than those darned CDs. That engineering must have cost Sony a fortune!) Finally, in the most cynical of all moves, Sony deducts another 25 to 50% of the gross since the download is a audiophile recording! A downloaded MP3 or AAC is an audiophile recording the same way a T-Shirt with Munch's The Scream on it is a fine art print.

Dickey Betts exits a Sony accounting meeting

We can only hope that every recording artist signed to Sony joins this lawsuit. This can help bring to light the remaining ludicracies of major label agreements. When consumers learn that even when they buy music the artist still doesn't get paid, the RIAA will have to grasp at more straws to justify its heavy handed attempt to resusitate the Major Label dinosaur by strangling consumers.

Hey, it's May Day! Workers of the world and recording artists unite! Cast off your chains... Oy vey.