USA benefits by 30% drop in CD prices

The BBC News web site reports that Universal Music is about to cut its proces for CDs 'by 30%'.

"Music fans in the US will enjoy cheaper CDs after the world's largest record company, Universal, announced plans to cut the price of albums by up to 30%.
Universal - which has artists like U2, Eminem and Sir Elton John on its roster - said it hoped to "invigorate" the market after a three-year slump.

From October, the company will put the "suggested" price for most CDs at $13 (£8.25) - down from $17-19 (£11-12). Album sales in the US dropped 15% between 2000-2002 - blamed on 'piracy'."

Why aren't they extending their discounting structures to Europe? Do we have less pirates [or less piracy because we have slower connections?] Is it because the Apple Store isn't up and running in Europe yet? Or is it because Europe is seen as a softer touch than dollarisall_usa? Our cousins have it right - they don't take to queuing, shoddy service, inferior products and bad climate. Might it just be what the record buying public has recognised for years - that your music is just damn' too expensive?

And while Universal are at it - could you please make your CDs from a better plastic so they don't scratch so easily or is that inbuilt obselesence?