According to Professer Lawrence Lessig the reasons for online file sharing are varied and different but essentially the sharing of music can be categorised into about four categories (2004, p. 68). Lessig defines the reasons for online music sharing into the following categories of use:
a. download of music as an alternative to buying the CD
b. download to sample music and eventually purchase the CD
c. download of music to access content that is no longer commercially available through other outlets (he likens this to the purchase of secondhand CDs for which that artist would also receive no financial benefit)
d. download of music that is no longer copyrighted or that the copyright owner has decided to give away
(2004, p. 68).
Since the technology became available to enable internet users to easily share files, including music, the music industry has been crying poor over the decrease in CD sales. A video called Australian Music IN TUNE was released. It features prominent Australian musicians and claims to have been produced with the support of the "Australian music industry".
One of the musicians featured in the video was Lindsay McDougall, of Frenzal Rhomb and Triple J Radio. McDougall was later quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald claiming that he would never speak out against downloading as he believes that this is a personal issue for each artist:
I would never be part of this big record industry funded campaign to crush illegal downloads, I'm not like [Metallica drummer] Lars Ulrich. I think it's bullshit, I think it's record companies crying poor and I don't agree with it.
Lessig makes a very convincing argument that while the record companies moan about lost revenue we must very seriously consider how much society will lose if peer-2-peer and other technology were unavailable, asking:
How much has society gained from p2p sharing? What are the efficiencies? What is the content that otherwise would be unavailable?
(2004, p. 73).
Clearly the fast habitation of the virtual world has provided our society with incredible efficiency and vast cultural gains. Jarred Madden and Adam Purcell, New Media Consultants frustrated with the attitude of anti-piracy crusaders, released a response To the Music Labels pointing out that the Music Industry have failed to move to keep up with the new and exciting ways to interact, collaborate, and communicate. Madden and Purcell point out how the internet has provided a digital space which affords users incredible opportunities to develop new forms of entertainment and interact with each other. Their message to the Music Industry is this:
You have an amazing opportunity to develop new and exiting ways to interact with us and develop a future-sustainable digital economy, and we are willing to put our money where we perceive there is value.
The music industry's slow, and sometimes inadequate, take up of new technologies as well as a failure to venture into new virtual communities is causing the older economic model to become obsolete. There are many alternative and sustainable models for the future of musicians. Many musicians and industry professionals are well and truly active in the virtual world but those from the old school are missing the point, the opportunity and very soon... the boat.
To sign Jarred and Adam's petition click here.
References:
Lessig, L. 2004. Free Culture. Penguin Group: New York.
5 comments:
Dear n5681065,
I very much appreciated the arguements that you have collaborated into this blog. I like the direction that you have taken looking from the artist’s perspective and the record label’s and how the two views are fairly different. It is something that is very rarely considered, thinking of how the record labels are the ones that are spending so much of their times badmouthing illegal downloading of music when many of the musicians themselves are quiet.
It is very sad that many musicians do miss out on royalties because of illegal downloading. Hopefully they manage to pick up sales from concert tickets due to the larger mass of exposure. If they still make ends meet in the end, that’s what really matters, right? Its all about the individuals receiving the credit that they deserve.
Record labels need to stop being so capitalistic and think about the art of the music as it once was.
Thankyou very much for your very insightful piece. I am very interested to find out more information about the musician and the record label and the effects of downloads.
Kate
This is a topic close to my heart and i have actually written a blog on the very issue of peer to peer programs in relation to piracy.
Digital music, peer to peer programs and piracy may seem a great issue in the music industry; however through my research i have found that these factors have actually increased the sale of music both in-store and online. As you have stated, the music industry has been crying poor over decreased CD sales. They may have decreased however they are being replaced by online purchase of digital music. Statistics have shown that in many cases the illegal downloads (through p2p programs) have led to legal purchases of music and music products. As you have stated there are many reasons why consumers choose to purchase and share music online - music is simply a click away.
Abramson (2005, 2) stated in his piece The Computer Ate My Industry that “to this day, the record companies continue to collect royalties from consumers who purchase the album, perform the song, or quote its lyrics."
Next time the music industry cries poor they should think about the greater scheme of things. Where we would be without p2p file sharing?
Abramson, Bruce. 2005. The Computer Ate My Industry in Abramson, Bruce, Digital pheonix, Massachusetts: MIT Press, pp.203-240.
Very interesting read Isha.. I like the perspective that you have taken to look at the issue because it isn't the side of the story that we normally hear!
The issue of music piracy has been floating around for years and has picked up a few embellishments along the way. I found your post great in sorting out fact from fiction and approaching it from more from the perspective of a third-party than a crazed music fan.
I think your use of Lindsay McDougall's quote that it was up to the individual to decide their own actions was spot on. As much as the record companies implore us to keep buying CDs (and have on occasion backed this up with legal action against Napster users in particular), the fact is we have certainly gained from peer-to-peer sharing.
I also liked that you explored the possibility that the music industry is losing money because it refuses to keep up with technologies, and only has itself to blame.
Overall, I thought you added something fresh to a rather stale topic with the inclusion of Jarred and Adam's petition. This coupled with your use of other hyperlinks, means the reader is able to explore a side of the issue that we don't generally hear about.
I wholeheartedly agree with your conclusion that the music industry will miss the boat if they don't act soon, and just think of the possibilities if the music industry did embrace new technologies. Definitely something worth getting excited about.
An interesting approach; comparing the musicians and the record companies, even so they are an entity or sorts. I agree that the music industry has failed to keep up with interactive, collaborative means of music appreciation. To combat this, music users have taken upon themselves to share, collaborate, and interact (yes, in an illegal setting), but I believe it is doing great things for musicians. Although record companies may be worried about the money in their pockets, the artists are winning out, and that’s what it should be all about - the music!
I participate in ‘illegal’ filesharing - there, I said it! But I don’t feel bad about it. I’ll explain why. Music file-sharing open avenues to explore new artists that I have never heard of before, but have been recommended by my online peers. I check out these artists, and if I like them, I don’t go and buy their CD, rather I wait until they tour my area and pay a price (sometimes a hefty one) to see them live.
Ask any musician what the best part of their occupation is, and you’re most likely going to get a response that involves live music, audiences, and vibe. I would much rather spend time discovering artists, and spend money enjoying their live shows, which they in turn equally enjoy. The money goes into their pocket, and we’re both happy campers (or dancers) at the end of it.
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