I can't disagree with your comments.

I add some words of caution:

Do not assume that because the mp3 format is ubiqitous now amoungst the music community, that it will always be the case for whatever music formats are in use.

Mp3 got into the position it did due to many factors, not least as it has no encryption in its design and therefore there are no DMCA provisions to fall foul of.
If that were not the case, then the DMCA would have shut down any non-RIAA sanctioned mp3 software encoding (ripping) programs years ago.

However, the music industry is trying to make the possesion of any mp3's (i.e. non-RIAA sanctioned music format) akin to possesion of drugs - if you have a mp3 file you must be either a dealer in stolen music, or you are a user of stolen music. They want no middle ground (where its ok to have mp3s of music you own and legitimately paid for).
Ask the public - they believe the all mp3s are theft byline the RIAA spouts.

The record companies take the high ground on piracy - of course piracy is rampant in the industry? Why because the RIAA says so!

And where you may ask, is the evidence of the $4+ billion in pirated music figure from? The RIAA of course, and how do they calculate this? Well, probably by looking at how much more money they are not making this year over last (based on their previously outlandish sales forecasts) and adding some other numbers up to come up with a totally bogus figure.

Few people in their right mind buy a ink jet printed CD (or a stuck on paper CD label) with a badly copied/reproduced booklet etc - which is what the average backyard copied CD looks like.

Where the acknowledged piracy comes from is the pirated CD produced (well) in CD pressing plants - the same plants that make legitmate CDs as well.

Perhaps the Record industry should be lobbying for a tax on all CD pressing plants made and sold (or resold) around the world.

A sort of CD plant non-proliferation treaty - like we have for nuclear materials now.

Most of the pirated music for sale comes from these illegal pressing plants in a few well known countries, not from the CD burner on your PC or friends PC.
Surely if the RIAA and its ilk was serious about piracy, they would ban all CD's from these countries unless proven to be geniune copies of music?

Obviously this doesn't happen often if at all and why not?
Generally these same countries and in some cases, the same plants, make the legitimate CDs that the RIAA members sell to the public and churn out the pirate copies too.
Maybe thats where the RIAA should start.