Show All Answers | Close All Answers

1. What types of CDs will California be receiving

   California will receive CDs from a variety of music genres, such as classical, jazz, blues, rock, hip-hop, country, Latin, show tunes and more. The actual list of titles for each individual recipient will vary, but the allocation process was set up to ensure that each recipient will receive a variety of CDs drawn from the full range of genres and titles. We understand that different types of institutions serve different populations and have sought to accommodate those differences without taking too much from one group for the benefit of another.

   The ratio of one genre to another does vary among the groups with libraries receiving somewhat more current popular music than the schools, colleges and universities, but individual recipients within each group will receive similar collections. The Instruction Sheets list the anticipated types of music for each type of organization.

2. Can I see a list of the CDs, or find out what CDs my local institutions will receive?

   • See List of CDs For School Districts
   • See List of CDs for Public Libraries
   • See List of CDs for College Districts and Universities  [PDF 1.4 mb / 373 pg]
3. Why isn't my local library district, school district or community college district on the list?

   Library, school and community college districts were notified of the CD distribution and asked to respond if they were interested in receiving CDs. Prior to finalizing the list, any potential recipient, who had not initially responded, was contacted. Ultimately, over 92% of eligible organizations signed up to receive CDs. However, for various reasons, a few chose not to participate in this program.

   Please remember that this distribution is being handled at the district level for public schools, libraries and community colleges. Individual campuses or library branches will not be on the list.

4. Is it to late for a school, library or community college district to sign up to receive CDs?

   California's share of music CDs has been fully allocated to all of the organizations that responded on a timely basis. We can not provide CDs to organizations that failed to sign up at the appropriate time.

5. When will the CDs be shipped?

   The national claims administrator will begin shipping CDs during the week of April 25. Except for a few very large recipients, the CDs will be sent via United Parcel Service, and they should arrive within 4-5 days after leaving the warehouse. We will contact the recipients, whose shipments are too large to be sent by United Parcel Service, to advise them of the shipping arrangements. We expect that all recipients should receive their CDs by June 10th.

6. Who is receiving the CDs?

   Library, school and community college districts selected a single point of contact to receive the CDs. The CDs for the CSU and UC campuses will be sent to a contact in either the Music or Library Department.

7. What if the CDs do not arrive?

   If your organization's CDs do not arrive by June 10th , the contact person for the recipient should Contact Us to check on the shipment. Please remember, though, that for schools, libraries and community colleges, the CDs are being shipped to one location for the entire district, not to each individual campus or library branch.

8. What if the CDs are damaged or the CDs do not match the packing list?

   If there are any problems with your shipment, the designated contact person for the recipient should Contact Us. Please tell us the nature of the problem and the name and phone number of a person with whom we can speak.

9. Are there any rules or restrictions on what the recipients can do with the CDs?

   Under the terms of this settlement, the music CDs are to be made available to California music consumers “with the express condition […that they] be used to further music related purposes or programs reasonably targeted to benefit a substantial number of the persons who purchased Music Products from one or more retailers.” The settlement further states that they “cannot supplant existing or reasonably anticipated funding,” and the court would not approve of a recipient selling the CDs to fund other programs.

   This office trusts that each recipient will find many wonderful and creative ways to provide California's consumers with access to the CDs that are in accordance with the requirements of the court (as described above), and has put no further restrictions on their use. It is up to each organization to determine how best to use the CDs in its various programs.

10. What if a recipient isn't sure they can use certain CDs?

    We encourage each recipient to explore different ways of using the CDs. For example, schools can use the CDs, not only for music and other educational programs, but also for dance programs, student activities and other events.

    If, after receiving the CDs, a recipient feels there are specific CDs it cannot use, they should follow the procedures in the instruction sheet that accompanied the CDs. If, however, after exploring these options, there are still a few CDs that a recipient cannot use under any circumstances, please Contact Us to discuss the problem.

11. How did you decide how many CDs each recipient would get?

    The first step was to divide the music CDs among the three recipient groups, taking into consideration the public being served. This resulted in an allocation formula of: Public Library Districts - 55%; Public K-12 School Districts - 40%; Public Colleges and Universities - 5%.

    The significant allocation to public library districts is being made since libraries serve the largest general public population. The percentages going to the primary and secondary schools were driven by the fact that music sales to individuals under the age of 25 represent a significant percentage of the music purchases made. According to the "Recording Industry Association of America's 2002 Consumer Profile," individuals ages 10-24 purchased between 33-40% of CDs sold each year over the past decade.

    The second step was to divide each group's portion among the organizations in that group. The formulas used focused on the relative number of individuals served by each recipient. Once this was completed, certain adjustments were made to assure that the smallest institutions receive an adequate number of CDs.

12. How did you determine the list of participants?

    Based upon the recipient groups selected by the Attorney General and approved by the Court, we worked with staff at the appropriate state agencies to identify the institutions eligible to participate. Lists of public school and library districts were obtained from the California Department of Education and the California State Library, respectively. Lists of colleges and universities were provided by the appropriate Chancellors' and Presidents' Offices. Notices were then sent to the school, library and community college districts, inviting them to participate. Follow-up reminders were also sent to these organizations. All the districts that responded are receiving CDs. The Office of the President of the University of California system and Office of the Chancellor of the California State University system accepted the CDs on behalf of their respective campuses.

13. Does the collection include music CDs with parental advisory warnings?

    Yes, recognizing the diverse tastes of California music consumers we have included all types of music. However, procedures have been instituted to ensure that CD with such warnings will not be distributed to K-12 schools.

14. What is a Cy Pres distribution?

    A “cy pres” distribution is made when it is impractical or infeasible to distribute the settlement proceeds directly to the victims. In a “cy pres” distribution, such as this one, the proceeds are given to organizations that can provide indirect benefits to the widest group of victims possible. This settlement included the “cy pres” distribution as well as a consumer claims process. For additional information, see Tell Me More About This Lawsuit.

15. What if I still have a question that isn’t answered here?

    The contact persons for each recipient organization should Contact Us with their e-mailed inquiries. Because of the large number of recipients participating in this distribution, we ask that all other individuals at these organizations contact their district offices and ask to speak to the contact person for the distribution. Members of the public with comments or questions can write to:

    Office of the Attorney General CD Distribution Program 455 Golden Gate Avenur, Suite 11000 San Francisco, CA 94102-7004