The real problem is that the RIAA effectively owns the output of the artists. I can understand that they need to recoup their expenses for CD production. (I don't buy the advertising thing. They only advertise artists that are already platinum sellers.) But the artists should be able to do whatever they want to with their music outside the realm of RIAA-produced CDs. They should be able to sell their music online directly to the consumer at whatever price they choose. Or press CDs of their own. But right now, they don't have that right. Despite the fact that they're also reimbursing the record companies for all the money that was loaned to them to record the album in the first place.

But what are you gonna do? It's them or (virtually) nothing.