ObAdmission: I own a couple SM CDs.  I knew what they were when I bought
them, but the titles in question were out of print.  I would buy them again
if the titles weren't available otherwise.   And I just placed an order with
UCI for about 80 bucks worth of REAL CDs and CD singles.  Just to give you
an idea where I am coming from...

Let me play the devil's advocate here for a minute.  A lot of the argument
over why original Japanese CDs are better seems to be coming from a value
added perspective - you get much better booklets, package inserts, and so
forth.  All of which is undeniable.

My question for all of you is, how much does this REALLY matter to you?  I
buy a CD because I want to listen to the music.  Value added for me is that
the lyrics are clearly printed on the inside of the folder, so I can follow
along.  The rest of the junk - pretty pictures, interviews, and the like -
generally goes unread or is looked at once and forgotten about.  That's NOT
why I buy the CDs.
Value added ceases to be value added if it is never utilized.  This is the
selling point of generic foods, bargain-packaged CD-ROM games...and Son May Cds.

I would therefore argue that if you don't buy SM from a moral perspective,
that's great.  I agree with you for the most point.  And for the amoral
types out there, maybe the legal argument holds more weight.  But unless I
am completely off my mark most people just do not get enough usage or
pleasure out of those extras to make up the $20 difference in price tag
between SM and original release.  Am I wrong?

Kevin

=====================
Kevin Barth
Research Analyst
Quantum Research Corp.