Digital Music Distribution

The recorded music industry is essentially a creation of the 20th century, starting soon after the invention of the first recorded sounds. Computer technology and the seemingly free distribution of music through so-called “peer-to-peer” systems such as Napster and its descendents threaten to destroy this industry, or at the very least, disrupt its current revenue model. Proponents of computer file sharing systems claim everything from the belief that “information wants to be free” to the belief that the systems are analogous to radio and only helps to sell more music. The recording industry and many artists disagree, and believe that these systems are the lawless work of those who would wish to profit from the labor of others. Legal victories by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in the past year against Napster have resulted in recent rulings which may make it difficult for major record labels to put up their digital music distribution systems. And recent indicators are showing that the recording industry is finally feeling the economic effects of competition with technology which essentially gives their songs to end users for free. Whatever the final outcome will be, it is clear that the music industry has been changed forever.