Forbes recently reported three main reasons why the CD is still important.

image by Ulf Hinze, Hannover, Germany feel free to use it for anything!1.  Last year, there were at least 211 million CD sales in the US yielding at least $2.5 billion in revenue.  I say “at least” because these numbers were taken from official RIAA data and didn’t include independent musician sales at shows and on websites, including other sales not tracked by SoundScan.  Not too shabby.

2.  There are still people that would rather buy a CD, especially those in country and hard rock markets.

3.  Reviewers (even blog reviewers) still want CD submissions rather than digital.  Plus, now there are services where you can press CDs as needed rather than having to place large orders upfront; a more economical system for independent musicians.

The CD may be old, but it isn’t dead yet.

Erin M. Jacobson is is an experienced deal negotiator and a seasoned advisor of intellectual property rights who protects artists, songwriters, music publishers, and other music professionals. Her clients include Grammy and Emmy Award winners, independent artists and companies, and distinguished legacy catalogues, as her knowledge of both classic music and current industry practices places her in a unique position to protect and revitalize older catalogues. She handles all types of music industry agreements, with an emphasis on music publishing. In addition to being named a Super Lawyers Rising Star and one of the Top Women Attorneys in Southern California, Ms. Jacobson is a frequent author and speaker, and has been featured in publications, including Billboard and Forbes. She also is on the Board of Directors for both the California Copyright Conference (CCC) and the Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP).