amazon carrying independent CDs

>Amazon.com, the popular online book and CD store, has added a very
>interesting new feature. You can now enroll in a free service to have your
>publication (book or CD) listed and for sale online. They take a cut of the
>sales proceeds for the service.
>
>http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/subst/partners/direct/direct-application.html

I looked into this. One fact is that in order for Amazon to carry the
CD, it must have a UPC code (so they can track their inventory).
When I followed the UPC links, it looks like its easy to get a number,
but it costs about $350 to become a "manufacturer" (six digits) and
then you have access to five digits (10,000 different) individual product
numbers.

Since I am not currently planning to release 10,000 different CDs
(in the near term) it made me wonder if maybe there would be a way
to "go in on" a number with a few people, or to find someone who already
has a UPC number and would be willing to share/sell/rent a number or two.

Has anyone done this before?



Bill Sethares