Sympathy fail: Sony's response to Whitney Houston's death? Raise the album prices of course!

[Initech]

Stay classy Sony.

It's easy to get so emotional about a singer after they've passed prematurely, as Whitney Houston did Saturday at the age of 48. But fans seeking to buy her digital albums in remembrance weren't too happy at sudden price hikes so soon after her death.

The Brits picked up on it quickly, with London-based Next Web writer Matt Brian and The Guardian's Josh Halliday both finding the price increases, which raised Houston's "The Ultimate Collection" 2007 album from £5 (about $7.89) to £8 (about $12.63). In the United States, the cost is even steeper: $15 for the "Greatest Hits" collection at both Amazon (mp3 store) and iTunes.  

http://technolog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/02/13/10394035-sony-hikes-whitney-houston-album-prices-online

[hobbit709]

1. Then they get upset if someone downloads.

[ProfessionalLeftist]

2. $ony = parasites

That is all.

[CathyMilller]

3. Sympathy

You're always in my heart Whitney. I will always love you. See samples of sympathy messages to offer your deepest sympathy.

[Selatius]

4. They're doing what any good capitalist would do, raise prices in the face of increased demand.

Healthy competition may be good at rationing supply in the face of demand, but there is no morality at all involved in deciding supply and prices. Also, all business owners or shareholders exist, primarily, to make a profit, even if it is after the death of a famous singer.

Incidentally, I wouldn't say the music industry is an example of healthy competition, at all. It's more akin to an oligopoly, and it's everything but a cartel in name.