Title

Tyler Matz
9/18/07
English 106-03
Dr. O’Rourke
Behind the Music: Should Downloading Music Be Free?
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. So does file-sharing violate the law and steal money from recording artists, or does it have a positive effect on the outcome of records sold?
In most studies, file-sharing programs have been found to benefit 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, according to David McGuire, showed that people who use file-sharing programs are “75 percent more likely than average online music fans to spend more money on music.” This is because most users rip music only as a sample, to tell whether they like the CD. After being able to sample and test the new music, users are more likely to purchase the record from a store or sister downloading site.
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). This is a major issue with many people who are involved in the underground or new age music scene. As an artist or band tries to make a name for itself, it is hard to find profits from a recording if listeners are able to download their music illegally. Not to mention, “the singles market has been virtually annihilated” (Boorstin 16). Now that users frequently download popular radio singles, the industry for album singles has literally fallen apart. It has become impossible for record companies to sell singles in recent years, and that is a contributing factor why total music business sales has decreased.
Believe it or not, technology has actually induced a scare in the music world prior 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. Boorstin believes that people think “CD prices are too high.” He believes that part of the decline in recent music business sales is from markups in compact disc pricing. This could be another reason that users are turning to file-sharing programs, because they do not want to spend $18 on a CD unless they know they like it.