Some people like it ROUGH!

This is a rough, very rough copy of my sythesis paper.

Sure, downloading music without paying for it is illegal, but everybody does it! Most people see not paying for music like a white lie, something not to be talked about and no difficulties will ever arise from it. Plus, do the artists really need you to pay $.99 for every song? According to Professor Felix Oberholzer-Gee, recent statistics have shown that file sharing programs have yet to affect the music industry negatively. But just because the industry hasn’t shown a large fluctuation yet doesn’t discard the argument of whether or not file sharing is right or wrong. Legally, it is a basic copyright infringement and not debatable in the judicial system. Artists have the right to charge money for their music, or give it out completely free.
In most studies, file sharing programs have actually benefited the record industry. According to Oberholzer-Gee’s studies, “file sharing actually boosts sales.” Popular songs that are downloaded frequently actually have seen an increase in record sales. A study in 2002, conducted by Jupiter, showed that people who use file sharing programs are “75 percent more likely than average online music fans to spend more money on music.”
On the other hand, music that is less mainstream has lost sales. For albums that appeal to a smaller audience, “the Internet may contribute to declining sales” (McGuire). Not to mention, “the singles market has been virtually annihilated” (Boorstin 16).
Believe it or not, technology has actually induced a scare into the music world previously to the internet. Now a common source of entertainment, broadcast in HD, and streaming new music, the radio produced similar concerns when it first entered the airwaves. The radio became a way for record companies to introduce new and exciting music and influence the listener to purchase the music they are listening to. Now that large companies control radio, as Boorstin says, “there is a perception that new music has no chance unless it is backed by a major label that already has a good relationship with the stations, and has the obvious widespread appeal needed by a corporation spanning many markets.” Since the radio has been accepted as a widespread technological breakthrough, the exact opposite of what was hypothesized has actually happened. The radio is now used more so as a device to help filter, control, and ultimately boost sales for the music industry. The same opportunity is presented with file sharing programs. New bands have the ability to easily spread their music for absolutely no cost. File sharing also promotes certain singles and genres of music. Individuals become engaged in the music and respect the artists through file sharing, just as they have learned to do with the radio.
Now even though units of merchandise and dollars of merchandise shipped have seen a large decline in recent years, there are many reasons for the decrease.