Since the introduction of Mp3 technology, music piracy has been rampant on the Internet throughout the world. The power that the Internet yields is unlimited. It has the ability to link music fans directly to their favourite bands or labels and it gives even the smallest bands an opportunity to reach and target its fans. This bypass of the recording industry allows for all bands or budding artists to create their own music, circumventing the tedious process of production and some times exorbitant production costs. As when any artist signs a recording deal with a label, they are actually signing away their rights to the music they have created. This, when time comes for payments to be made to the artists, all production and promotion costs are deducted, leaving the artists with a fraction of actual sales made. The recording industry still has a very strong hold on the music scene, but that is changing with the influx of accessibility to Mp3 technology. Record companies promote music in a seemingly manipulative way by of radio play, ensuring that the public are skewed to the songs that they deem to be hits. This does not give the listeners the choice to explore other song types, genres and artists. This is when Mp3 technology, and the choices it gives the public, come into play.
According to Mewton, C :
“Artists and music fans alike now have the opportunity to post and
exchange lists of their favourite records on their websites. The net
is opening up access to all kinds of genres and styles of music,
allowing music fans to choose who to listen to rather than be cleverly
manipulated by a multi-million-pound promo campaign into listening to
the same thing as everyone else.�
(2001:48)
Although this is good for the new and upcoming talented musicians, the current existing musicians in the music industry have different views on this issue. Some of them agree with what has been mentioned above but the rest of them stick to the story that their Intellectual Property rights are being violated. Artists that are for the internet and its endless abilities to promote their music include Courtney Love , George Michael, Prince, Smashing Pumpkins and the list is increasing. More and more artists are beginning to realize the power of the internet and what it can do for their music. In one Brit Awards, Prince attended the ceremony with the word “SLAVE� inscribed on his face. George Michael took SONY to court claiming that, “If the artist ends up paying for all of his recordings, how come he doesn’t own his masters? And if the record label doesn’t want to take his latest album seriously enough to promote it properly, why is the artist stuck in limbo, unable to do anything about it?�. Another such artist is Courtney love. She has taken a very harsh stand against the recoding industry and is actively promoting the use of the internet for musicians to get their music to fans all over the world, at the same the time avoiding high costs brought about by production and recording labels.
“I’m leaving the major label system…It’s a radical time for
musicians, a really revolutionary time….If the majors aren’t going
to do for me what I can do for myself….which is to drive millions
of people to my website in less than a month and provide real
content for that website, then they can go to hell…�
Courtney love on the Hole website and her split from Geffen.
References: 1)Mewton,C. 2001. All you need to know about music and the internet revolution.London:Sanctuary publishing Ltd.
Also see these websites for additional resources:
1)How p2p companies can pay artists
2)Different Artists Quotes on Digital Music, piracy and rights
Zinesh gavin 21:18, 27 Oct 2004 (EST)