Why should the public pay for music when they can get it for free? In the past few years, many have mastered the art of downloading MP3’s. For financially challenged college students, this technology is truly a gift from above. After perfecting downloading skills, the next tools to learn to use are the portable mp3 player and the CD burner.
Unfortunately, the world of free music came to a screeching halt when Napster, the most popular file-sharing network, was shut down. After months battling in the courtroom over copyright infringement laws, the music industry thought they had it under control. Little did they know, our generation had another plan.
Several other illegitimate file-sharing programs had emerged, including Morpheus, Limewire, Kazaa, Winmx, Imesh, Bearshare, and Audio Galaxy. The list goes on. After Napster’s demise, these programs allow music lovers to continue sharing files with others.
In 2001, statistics from Webnoize.com showed that 78% of Napster users acquired their Mp3’s through another illicit sources, while 21% used free, legal sources such as Mp3.com and Emusic.
The Mp3 swapping technology began to damage music industry, especially in cities where colleges are located. In 1998, sales declined by 4%. USA Today reported that, “Dozens of colleges banned the use of Napster.” Soundscan, the company that measures music purchases, says, “It’s hard to quantify how much potential revenue music companies may have lost because of downloading.” The increase in CD burning material has also impacted sales.
Atlantic Records recording artist Willa Ford says that she “always felt there was a good side and bad side to it [Mp3 downloading]. Most of my friends are not in the business, and I know what it’s like not to be part of it. When I’m in the studio it could be very emotionally straining.”
She compares MP3 downloading to cheating: “It’s like when you write a paper for school, and you put all your time and energy into it, and someone just steals it from you. It has nothing to do with the money. It’s just stealing. It’s wrong.”
The average price for an album is approximately $18 -usually to find out that there are only 3 or 4 of the songs that you enjoy.
Even Willa Ford herself thinks CD’s are overpriced. She says, “I don’t think a CD should be like $18 or $20, but people don’t understand how much money it costs to make the album. It also depends on where you buy it.”
Either way, why would anyone pay $18 for one CD when they can purchase a 25 package of blank CD’s for the same price?
