Remember when Metallica sued Napster? Do you also remember when the four major record labels decided to take a “pass” at selling their music online? Of course you do.

There’s a lot of reasons that the old-model record industry (herein referred to as the “Dinosaur”) is dying (some may say its dead). The RIAA is one reason, and the other is stupid bullshit like EMI telling all of its Mom and Pop buyers that it will no longer be selling product to them.

Apparently, last week EMI sales reps began phoning most (maybe all) independent record shops and telling them that, in an effort to save money, they’re no longer going to accept orders from them. I’m sure this will be a common question in conversation, but how exactly do you save money by no longer selling product to loyal customers? It just doesn’t make any sense.

So don’t be surprised when you can’t find any new-ish EMI releases at your favorite indie record store because they simply won’t be there. It makes me wonder, though: how do the artists who are still signed to EMI feel about this? How much input do YOU think they had in this decision? Probably none.

And for reference, here’s a list of artists signed to EMI.