Rather than lowering the cost of albums in order to compete with free music circulating through the internet, record companies have turned to collection agencies who are now suing cellphone companies over royalties from ring tones. They contested that ring tones counted as public performances and therefore cell phone companies should be obligated to pay performance fees. The courts quickly shot this down.

Despite this unfruitful endeavour to collect on royalties, Broadcast Music Inc is now suing T-Mobile over ring back tones, alleging that the mobile carrier is selling them without licensing agreements. Unlike ring tones, which play publically when someone calls, ring back tones are only heard specifically by the person calling. Instead of hearing a cellphone dialing, the caller will hear a song that was chosen by the cell owner.

Cynics are quickly to point out the seeming irony of this lawsuit. Ringtones which can be heard by anyone around a cellphone do not count as a public performance, so it seems ridiculous to sue the mobile carriers over a ringback tone that can be heard solely by the caller. The music industry, suffering from major financial losses, seems to be grasping at straws in order to collect any money that they possibly can.

It does not appear that lowering the cost of CDs, DVDs and other media is an plan that has occurred to the music industry. There are still quite a few fans out there that prefer to collect and own the actual products, but with prices constantly spiking, downloading music for free seems very appealing. Many CDs generally go on sale for about seventeen dollars.

A few bands have bypassed the issue of free music downloads through creative tactics. Radiohead, an alternative rock band, built a website where fans can obtain the mp3s for free, or for a donation. Nine Inch Nails’ Trent Reznor made a similar site. The music industry’s unsuccessful lawsuits and declining public image leads one to believe that thinking outside of the box and lower pricing may be more effective than bullying money out of mobile carriers and individual users.

Mallory Megan works for a debt collection company. She also composes articles on business, finance, the credit industry and collection agencies. Unique version for reprint here: Record Companies Are Now Suing Mobile Carriers For Royalties.

Below are legal ways to obtain a debtor’s bank account number.

If your debtor is employed by a retail store purchase something from the debtor and pay by check. This is a great technique that you can use to find out account information by looking at your own bank statement; the bank account information will allow you to determine the debtors account number.

Interacting with a previous landlord of the debtor can be quite helpful. Ask his formal landlord if you can look at the rental application and obtain financial information. You can also subpoena the old land lord for a copy of the rental application to see where the defendant banked. Because old habits die hard, it is likely that the debtor still uses the same bank account.

Consider serving a Business Record Subpoena on the employer in order to obtain a copy of a payroll check the debtor has cashed in. The check should have the defendant’s account number and possibly the name of the bank on the bank.

In addition, there are a few “colorful” ways to acquire information about a debtor’s bank account. Conduct a trash search. This is an simple way to obtain bank information and a way to get to know more than you ever wanted about this debtor.

A very elaborate ploy to get the skinny on your debtor’s bank account is what I like to call “the fake block party.” Send post cards to anyway who lives on the debtor’s block, and put up signs directing traffic towards his house. The debtor may get block party fever and open his garage. Scope out his items and take inventory. He may even start to sell things. At this point, purchase something and hand them a check.

So there you go. All of these schemes are legal, and legit. But my advice would be to look through trash and stage an elaborate block party last, because that seems kind of crazy.

Mallory Megan is employed by a debt collection company. Also she writes articles on business and finance, consumer spending and collection agencies. You are welcome to reprint this article – but get your own unique content version here.