Best Option To Liquidate CD Collection

IANAL, but the situation is really pretty simple: it's perfectly legal to sell a CD you own, and it's perfectly legal to rip a CD that you own to your hard drive. However, if you choose to sell a CD that you've copied, it is NOT legal to retain the copy.

A CD is a physical object, but when you purchase a CD, you acquire not just a physical copy of the music, but also a license for the personal use of that music. Purchasing a CD does not, for example, allow you to use that music for the soundtrack of a commercial motion picture. That is a use not covered by the license.

If you decide to sell your CD, you sell not only the silver disk, but the personal use license that goes with it. Any copies you retain are no longer licensed, or in other words, are illegal.

Unless, of course, you are unlucky enough that the RIAA decides to make an example of you and sue you for every penny you're worth, the chances of getting caught are pretty slim. But to argue that this practice is anything but illegal, immoral and unethical is simply a self-serving rationalization.
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Unless there's no proof, it's only dogma.

Czarivey: I’m going to go way out on a limb here, and assume that English is not your first language, as I can think of no other explanation for your incomprehensible and incoherent comment (exemplified by the above sentence), unless, of course, it is due to the misuse or overuse of your favorite psychoactive substance, combined injudiciously with something more prosaic like, say, airplane glue.

As someone who makes his living from the fruits of the talented musicians who create the records you sell, one would think you would be a bit more sympathetic to their desire to not be ripped-off by the sale and circulation of unauthorized copies of their works.

Your posts make it pretty clear that you love music, so I find it difficult to comprehend the cloak of willful ignorance in which you wrap your outlandish opinions. Do you really think it is NOT illegal to make and distribute unauthorized copies of copyrighted material?

Why the RIAA? Because they claim to represent the artists who are harmed by illegal sharing of their works. Many of the positions and actions taken by the RIAA can be legitimately criticized, and I am rather surprised to find myself defending them, but in this matter I believe they are right.

If you think this is all merely “dogma” you might want to have a look at this page, which explains some of the basics: The Law

One notable highlight:

Burning a copy of a CD onto a CD-R, or transferring a copy onto your computer hard drive or your portable music player, won’t usually raise concerns so long as:
• The copy is made from an authorized original CD that you legitimately own
• The copy is just for your personal use. It’s not a personal use – in fact, it’s illegal
– to give away the copy or lend it to others for copying.

You seem to relish the persona of the rebel and the outlaw, which is, of course, your prerogative. But don’t pretend that your viewpoints are legitimate or worthy of emulation.

I’m done with this discussion: peace out!
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Wrong again, Blueskies! Sorry!

If you give away the CDs you also give away the license you have to listen to the copies that you made when you ripped them to your hard drive.

Think of it this way: if you buy a ticket to see a concert, you cannot make a perfect copy of that ticket, sell the original ticket, and use the copy to gain admission to the concert. And whether you sell the original ticket or give it away really makes no difference.

And just like a CD, you can make a copy of the ticket, or you can sell (or give away) the original ticket--you just can't do both.

Hope that helps...
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Blueskies: At the risk of appearing to have some sort of personal vendetta against you (believe me, I really don't) let me just say this: you really don't get it!

If you create an amazing work of art with your CDs (whether you glue them together, turn them into a mobile, or coat them with bacon grease), once you transfer ownership of them (regardless of whether or not you receive monetary compensation), you have given up the license you had to make personal use of the copies that you have made. Period.

Now if you wanted to glue those CDs together to create a great work of art, I think you'd be on solid legal ground--provided that you did not transfer ownership of your amazing creation! I suppose you could then exhibit it in your home (or at your local U-Stor-It unit), and even charge admission for the privilege of viewing your masterpiece. Perhaps you'd eventually realize your $50,000 goal. You could then use the cash to purchase LEGAL downloads from, say, iTunes, and THEN you could sell (or give away) your CDs in good conscience (after erasing the rips you made from those CDs).

One thing to keep in mind, though (and this brings up an entirely different discussion which I'm not really interested in getting into right now): when you purchase a digital download, you are merely purchasing a license for personal use (kinda like buying a CD), but apparently this license is NOT TRANSFERABLE. So even if you purchase a download that you absolutely detest, and never want to hear again, you can't legally sell it or even give it away!
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