September 15, 2003

Is piracy killing music?

Posted by Chris

The music industry claims the download pirates are killing music. So how bad would things be if the music industry died? John Holbo paints a plausible picture.

Posted on September 15, 2003 10:51 AM UTC
Comments

The music industry will never die. There will always be artists who want to play in front of other people - thus creating fans and thus creating a market for their creative output. The problem with this issue is the fact that the music industry has driven CD prices up so high that people can’t stand it anymore. If it’s available for free, hell, why not just take it? But because it’s available for free, even lowering CD prices won’t help. People are cheap. There has to be middle ground on this issue, but it’ll be tough to find it.

Posted by SageOne · September 15, 2003 07:19 PM

The NY Times has a dire article on this sort of issue, with some lunatic proposing a 15% tax on internet access and storage and copying devices, to be paid to the record industry to compensate them for piracy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/14/weekinreview/14LOHR.html?pagewanted=print&position=

Posted by Nasi Lemak · September 15, 2003 08:30 PM

As an (ex?)-member of a band seeking to get signed, I feel that I can say with some (minor) authority that bands make their money from touring and, especially, sales of merchandise at concerts. CD sales bring in money, of course, but artists will not suffer in the streets because of pirating as long as their fan base is happy.

It’s the Britney Spears of the world that will die out in a post-music industry world.

Posted by John Collins · September 17, 2003 05:28 AM

I would argue that the music industry is missing the point. The point is whether they will master digital technology or not. The mp3 and P2P are simply too organic expressions of digital technology to fight. Independent labels have been much nimbler in embracing the technology and have been thriving while the majors have been floundering.

SHAMELESS PROMOTION:
I’ve written a fairly long piece which has been well recieved that I’m fairly proud of at http://marcbrazeau.blogspot.com/2003_07_13_marcbrazeau_archive.html#105846667904708269

It covers suggestions for the majors, opinions of indy icons, management secrets of the grateful dead, bootlegs and mash ups: the current UK amateur dj craze, stax and motown and a few other suprises.

Posted by Marc Brazeau · September 24, 2003 06:39 AM

I would argue that the music industry is missing the point. The point is whether they will master digital technology or not. The mp3 and P2P are simply too organic expressions of digital technology to fight. Independent labels have been much nimbler in embracing the technology and have been thriving while the majors have been floundering.

SHAMELESS PROMOTION:
I’ve written a fairly long piece which has been well recieved that I’m fairly proud of at http://marcbrazeau.blogspot.com/2003_07_13_marcbrazeau_archive.html#105846667904708269

It covers suggestions for the majors, opinions of indy icons, management secrets of the grateful dead, bootlegs and mash ups: the current UK amateur dj craze, stax and motown and a few other suprises.

Posted by Marc Brazeau · September 24, 2003 06:43 AM

nop, coz we stiil have to use many ways to prevent the piracy, in my conutry (indonesia) there are so many piracy happend especially in music industry, its really make many troubles. so not only use one methode to prevent this case

Posted by rahma · October 25, 2003 06:36 AM

if they wants us bnot to kill music they should low down the prices and stop shouting!

Posted by daphne · January 7, 2004 09:53 AM

if they wants us not to kill music they should low down the prices and stop shouting!

Posted by daphne · January 7, 2004 09:55 AM

i think that piracy is good and bad in a way its hard to explain but 57% of alternitive press readers say that downloading music will be the future of music . its messed up how people cant go out and buy there faveorite cd’s because its to much money . i think that maybe the music buisness should make there cds cheaper till then people will keep downloading and thats a fact whether the government likes it or not piracy helps people .

Posted by maria · January 15, 2004 04:09 PM

The music industry will still be strong and the artists will still be making loads of money even if ppl download their music. Maybe the music industry should take a hint and lower prices of cds. I mean musicians still make a killing off of ticket sales so I think they should all just stop whining.

Posted by Dustin · February 23, 2004 05:48 PM
Followups

→ Piling on the RIAA.
Excerpt: Boy, suing 12-year-olds sure was a great move for the RIAA, if by "great move" one means "great way toRead more at Off the Kuff

This discussion has been closed. Thanks to everyone who contributed.