Music CDs for California Distribution
Distribution Begins the Week of April 25
Music CD's being shipped to:
- California Public Libraries
- California Public School Districts
- California Community Colleges
- California State University
- University of California
To address unfair competition in the sale of Music CDs, the California Office of the Attorney General, other state attorneys general and private counsel sued five major music distributors and three national chain stores alleging a price-fixing scheme that prevented other retailers from advertising discount prices. As part of the court-approved settlement in this matter, the defendants provided $67.4 million in cash and music CDs worth $75.7 million.
California is receiving about 665,000 music CDs valued at $8.9 million. To make the music CDs available to the widest range of California consumers, these CDs are being given to public libraries, K-12 school districts, colleges and universities throughout California, that signed up to participate in this distribution last year. Over 1200 public libraries, school districts, colleges and universities have signed up to receive Music CDs.
During the week of April 25th, the national claims administrator will begin sending the CDs to the California recipients. Because of the large number of recipients, it is expected that the shipping process will take several weeks.
This website contains information about the distribution of CDs to public school districts, library districts, colleges and universities.
Under the free music CD distribution plan:
- Public libraries will receive 55% of the total distribution. This reflects the fact that public libraries can make the music CDs available repeatedly through their loan programs.
- California's public schools will receive 40% of the music CDs. This distribution will be administered through the 1040 public school districts.
- Colleges and universities will receive 5% of the music CDs. These will be made available to California Community College Districts, California State Universities and the University of California
Refunds to individual consumers have been handled separately by the national claims administration. Refund checks were mailed last year to consumers who filed claims. If you are an individual consumer with questions about the refunds, please see the national claims administrator's website www.musicCDsettlement.com.