Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Internet killed the CD?

We all know that music industry is (by their opinion) in trouble especially with the rise of the internet. They have money loss and as RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) is writing, these losses are not small.

"One credible analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation concludes that global music piracy causes $12.5 billion of economic losses every year, 71,060 U.S. jobs lost, a loss of $2.7 billion in workers' earnings, and a loss of $422 million in tax revenues, $291 million in personal income tax and $131 million in lost corporate income and production taxes." (Source: http://www.riaa.com/physicalpiracy.php)

Surveys in all major markets prove that internet is a major factor for the fall in world music sales, down 7% in 2003, and down 14% in three years. Yes, internet has a great influence on music industry. At beginning music industry did not know what to do. But then finally they acted and move their bussiness to internet. So we got albums online and we could just download them.

And so is today. A small number of artists have still old fashioned CD's. Well CDs have become collection pieces. A lot of people buy CD just when their favourite artist release it. All other people download albums. And this downloading is not every time legal. Why is internet music piracy so popular? Some say that because it's cheaper. Some that is less time consuming (you do not even have to leave home). Some say that is positive because with this kind of music listening you can widen your music taste. It can be treated positive. But could we say that the negative point about music sharing on internet is "murder" of CDs?

I think that internet has brought to us democratization of music. Now every band, group or artist can record themselves and put their songs to Youtube. So the music is no longer reserved just for those who have some acquaintance in music industry. In that way music industry is also loosing it's main role in connecting music to money. Music has become more important. But back to the question if internet killed the CD. In my opinion internet has made CD a boutique product. It is more valued (on symbolic level) and has more exclusive role. And like video did not kill the radio star, also internet will not killed CD and video stars. Even more. On internet video and presentation of artist is even more important. And what do you think? Will internet kill the CD or not?

1 comment:

  1. Poor music industry, and poor artists...except of those who decided to sell their music on the Internet in MP3 format, like for example Radiohead.
    In my opinion it is actually all about MP3, because nowadays we all use MP3 players, or have MP3 device inbulit in our mobile phones or we simply listen to the music via our computers.

    As u said, CD is now collector's item, when our favourite artist has his/her release. But normally it is completely not practical.

    If u r interested in music in virtual world, this is my last blog post:

    http://sylviaonnewmedia.blogspot.com/

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