“Downloading is changing the lives of the people that make the music and the people who love it – and it might just change the music to�? (whatsthedownload.com).
Music Filesharing and peer to peer sites, legal and illegal, have mixed reviews from the content makers, the artists. The internet and digital revolution, which is ever growing, provides a communication medium where boundaries are borderless and music fans are able to reach content without entering into a record store. An independent revolution has been born, as traditional distribution methods which could only be funded by major record labels are making way for legal music download sites, such as iTunes.
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Many artists have an opinion on whether filesharing is good or bad. It depends on the goal that the music artist has, if it is to reach and touch as many people as possible or to make money and become a superstar. Some music celebrities which have commented on the filesharing phenomenon include:
Joss Stone – “If you can get something for free and it sounds great, then why not.�?;
Sarah McLachlan – “It’s frustrating as an artist to know that there are people who are taking my music for free, especially if they’re filesharing and thousands of people then have the option to take it for free.�?;
Moby – “The whole reason I started making music is cause I love music and I’m flattered if anyone makes an effort to listen to my music whether they buy a CD, whether they do a legal download, whether they download something illegally, whether they listen to it at a friend’s house.�?;
Black Eyed Peas – “For up-and-coming groups that don’t have deals and that are trying to get exposure and publicity, it’s a forum that is good for them.�? (Comments found on whatsthedownload.com)
As websites are now a common communication tool for artists to become closer to their fans, offering files of their own songs for fans to sample (such as Kisschasy). Advocates of file-sharing companies such as Napster claim that these services may actually benefit record companies and artists by giving users the ability to sample music and then buy CD's if they like what they hear (Shirky, 2001). Should other artists follow the Dave Mathews Band and embrace the new technology these companies offer by releasing songs on the Internet for fans to listen to before the CD is available in the stores (Barnes, 2001)?
One combat which an artist may take to stop illegal downloads of their music is to place a limit on how many times a CD can be burned. The Foo Fighters have incorporated this technology onto their album, only letting 5 copies on the music be made. An argument for this asks the question if you buy the initial CD, is that not buying some type of agreement that you may use that music how you wish? This debate will never be won as it is a matter of opinion, not fact.
Barnes, Cecily (2001), Dave Matthews Band Releases Single on Napster. CNETNews.com.
Shirky, Clay (2001 ), "Where Napster Is Taking the Publishing World," Harvard Business Review (February), 143-148.
Whatisthedownload.com (2004) 'Artist's View,' accessed 26 October 2005 at whatisthedownload.com
Bronwyn Hooton 00:02, 28 Oct 2005 (EST)
previous author Emma Pi-Hui Chow 21:11, 29 Oct 2004 (EST)
