Abstract This paper takes a look at music downloads. The paper reviews how music is downloaded via the Internet, and various issues relating to music downloads. The paper also discusses whether this is illegal or not.
Outline:
Introduction
How Music is Downloaded from the Internet
The Threats of Music Downloading Music Downloading : Why is it Illegal?
Conclusion
From the Paper "At first, it may seem that ease of downloading music from the Internet will produce nothing but positive impact to the consumers. They will be able to get and enjoy music for free. They will be able to share music to their friends without limits or boundaries. However, the fact remains that copying or downloading music from the internet is piracy. It is copying without proper consent from the real owners. It is copying and reproducing without notifying the people who have shed great efforts in producing such music. Thus, honor, credibility and integrity of the consumer is being wage. "
Abstract In this article, the writer looks at a music business being considered for expansion to the web. The business in question is a sheet music download service. The writer notes that there are currently numerous businesses on the World Wide Web that provide sheet music to consumers through mail order and instant downloads. The writer points out that these companies have been capable of creating a presence that is adequate for a minimal audience, but that does not attempt to reach to all people across the globe. The writer concludes that it is evident that in order to be competitive, the business under consideration will have to provide a site to the consumer that offers a greater scope of music, as well as the inclusion of new technologies.
Outline:
Introduction
Comparison of Sheet Music and Download Sites
Similarities
Attention
Time at the Site
Global Exposure
Conclusion
From the Paper "Musicnotes.com provides digital sheet music, guitar lesson videos and free sheet music downloads for public domain music of the past. The website for the company is simply constructed, with the best sheet music of 2004 being posted on the first page. The site also offers music for piano, country, Christian, Broadway and movie music. All downloads require software that is easily obtained at the site for no cost, and the company provides free blank music sheets for composition."
"The site for musicnotes.com is quite simple, with links to other areas of the site posted at the top of the page, and current music offerings that have been popular comprising the remainder of the page."
Abstract This paper discusses the music recording industry and how it has been impacted by digital music distribution. The paper relates that the early success the music labels had against the initial music file downloading sites were short lived, and legitimate digital downloading sites have since prospered. The paper then argues that major recording labels are suffering from the decline in CD sales, not because of music pirating, but because they refuse to recognize that consumers demand digital music downloading for its convenience and portability. The paper further emphasizes that digital music distribution and retailing is the future of the music industry and every relevant party seems to recognize this, except the music industry itself.
Outline:
Overview
Restructuring of the music Industry
New distribution model & Itunes
Online distribution variations
Conclusion
From the Paper "The music industry, in spite of its ineptitude and obstinacy over the past decade regarding digital music downloading, is finally realizing that whether it embraces downloading services such as iTunes and others, it must evolve with the digital age or face irrelevance. In order to compensate for the loss of revenues, the recording music industry has been examining their base revenues in order to determine if digital downloads can compensate completely for the decline in sales of CDs. Two of the major record labels, Sony and BMG, have even merged in order to expand their catalogues (Recording, 2007). There have been efforts made to encourage EMI to merge with one of the remaining three major record labels but thus far these remaining major record labels have resisted further consolidation. However, EMI undertook its own internal restructuring by merging its two main record labels in the US market during the first half of 2007 and Warner Music was sold during 2004 creating even more churn in the industry (Recording, 2007). Yet, perhaps the most visible change is the industry is the downsizing or disappearance of retail music stores, which has begun to accelerate."
Abstract The paper introduces and analyzes the topic of ethics in American business. Specifically, the paper discusses who should be punished for downloading illegal music. The paper argues against the practice and contends that downloading music online is illegal unless one pays for the music. The paper also contends that "down loaders" know the act is illegal, and choose to do it anyway, making it both legally and ethically wrong. The paper further contends that illegal downloads harm record companies and recording artists and violate the intellectual property rights of the individuals who created the song. The paper concludes that stealing music is like stealing someone's special creation, it is simply wrong, ethically, morally, and legally.
From the Paper "In addition, stealing music is a known crime, and music companies have been filing suit against people for many years, making it common knowledge that downloading music is a crime. The Minnesota trial was the first lawsuit to make it all the way to trial, however. Downloaders paying thousands of dollars in fines to recording companies have settled all the other suits. In one case, recording companies sued the parents of two under-18-year-olds, and the parents eventually settled with the record company. In this case, since the children were not of legal age, the companies went for the people who owned the computers. However, in most normal cases, these would not be the people responsible, because anyone who owns a computer knows that you cannot control family members and friends 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when they are on the computer."
Abstract This report looks into data regarding downloading of free music on the Internet in the business setting of music distribution and music retailing. The report also looks at perspectives from the government and recording industry, as well as legal cases that have sprung up around this issue, focusing on principles of copyright law. The report presents both sides of the issue and pays attention to how the issue of downloading music for free over the Internet has affected internal and external business environments in terms of the ability to adapt to change, as well as the ability to control pricing.
Statement of Purpose
Setting of Problem
History of Problem
Scope of Project
Importance of Project
Definition of Terms
Review of Literature
From the Paper "The problem originated in copyright law. There have been many technological innovations over time that have changed communication and distribution, and have also changed industries associated with communication and distribution. The music retailing industry as well as the recording industry should be familiar with change, since these
industries have gone through many different media over history: the vinyl record, the 8-track cassette, the audio cassette, and the compact disc are a few innovations that have kept the industry in a position to react to change as well as controlling change. This is mainly because in this history of technological development, music retailers and recorders have had the luxury of price control. There have been some bands over time who have tried to fight the establishment and sell their CDs without markup for between eight and ten dollars, but despite these few aberrations, the industry remained firmly in control of pricing throughout most of the twentieth century."
Abstract This three page paper presents a discussion about the downloading of music off of the Internet. The writer argues that it has a tremendous impact on society and the music industry by decreasing profits to the musicians and music centers. It discusses the ethical implications of downloading music for free and discusses laws that are necessary to prevent this.
From the Paper "Why should artists continue to write new songs, perform on stage and put them to cd if they are not going to be paid for their efforts? Would you go to work if at the end of the week you didn't get a paycheck? Downloading music instead of paying for the cd or privilege will have long reaching affects on society. It will discourage artists from producing new material and it will teach future generations that stealing is okay as long as one doesn't get caught. Both of these options have negative impacts on society. "In a period of lackluster sales, illegal downloading isn't the only factor affecting the depressed music industry. Disgruntled consumers have contributed significantly to the decline in retail music sales. Retail music sales, valued at $12.5 billion in 2005, are predicted to fall to $10.5 billion by 2010, according to a recent Mintel report (Spotlight, 2006).""
Abstract Discusses issues involved in movie studios (Disney, Miramax) making their first run films available for online downloading. Technology involved. Pay-per view basis. Copyright protection. Piracy issues & threat of the growth of movie pirating software. Competition between movie studios & cable industry.
From the Paper "Issues Surrounding Releasing Films for Internet Download
Throughout the year 2000, several studios have been seeking partnerships with other studios to find ways to provide a wider selection of first-run movies. To date, two likely scenarios are emerging. One foresees Sony heading a group that would use emerging technologies that allow end-users to download movies for their personal library (Hofmeister A1). Another scenario envisions that studios such as Fox and Disney will explore streaming video technology for one-time viewing, alternately referred to as "video on demand" or a sort of pay-per-view system for downloadable films.
In the latter case, the studios even hope to link multiple Web sites or cross-license titles to make it easier for consumers to locate their favorite movies, even without knowing which..."
Abstract This paper provides an overview of the various technologies that exist to enable people to download music from the Internet, including P2P, home CD burning, and music piracy. It looks at the problems this technology brings with it, both legal and ethical, and suggests ways around these problems.
From the Paper "The music industry is undergoing a global technological revolution which has been induced by the introduction of Peer to Peer (P2P) file sharing, and the proliferation of recordable CD equipment which his now within the financial reach of the average consumer. Either of these influences alone could have been absorbed by the recording industry. The presence of a P2P service which was limited only to sharing files between computers would have been convenient and innovative fun. If consumers could only put personal music tracks on portable disks, the convenience would have expanded the reach of the individual's music collection, much the same way that personal cassette recorders did in the 1970?s. Although the music industry was worried about personal cassette recording abilities of the past, the inherent poor quality of personal recordings meant that the demand for studio recordings remained high."
Abstract This paper is an article review on three articles about why file sharing is so popular and how record companies can address this problem.
From the Paper "According to an article by John Healey and Jeff Leeds in the Los Angeles Times, record companies are losing the battle to shape the public's definition of theft or violation of copyright laws. As a result, record companies are considering a desperate strategy aimed at increasing their chances of financial success. Record companies are planning to bombard students, parents, teenagers and other users of the Internet who illegally share or download copyrighted music with lawsuits, alleging millions of dollars in damages resulting from copyright violations."
Abstract This paper analyzes the business model for Rhapsody, a file downloading system offered by RealNetworks. The paper shows that file sharing of this sort has been developing as a major force in music for some time, first with peer-to-peer file sharing that skirted and often broke copyright laws, and now through services that charge a fee, pay for the rights, and so follow copyright law.
From the Paper "Rhapsody is a product produced by RealNetworks that enables the file sharing of music for a fee. File sharing of this sort has been developing as a major force in music for some time, first with peer-to-peer file sharing that skirted and often broke copyright laws, and now through services that charge a fee, pay for the rights, and so follow copyright law. Numerous handheld devices have been sold to allow for the downloading of music into a unit that can be taken along by the consumer and listened to like a Walkman was for tapes and even CDs. Such devices are much smaller and hold up to 6 gigabytes of material at a time. The music in the device can be erased and replaced with new files."
Abstract This paper examines how the recent development of computers, the Internet, and music compression technologies, such as MP3, have given a totally new dimension to music privacy and how free music downloads and the exchange of music files over the Internet has reached such daunting proportions that the music industry considers it the single biggest threat to its very survival. It discusses whether downloading of music from the Internet should be unrestricted and free by looking at both sides of the issue. While doing so, recent court cases about music piracy in the United States and Australia are also examined.
Outline
The Beginnings of Music Downloads on the Internet
The Napster Lawsuit and Its Aftermath
Current Scale of Internet Music Downloads Ethics of Free Music Downloads Arguments For and Against
Recent US and Australian Court Cases
Conclusion
From the Paper "Napster attracted the ire of the music recording industry, which filed lawsuits (A&M Records Inc. et al versus Napster) against the company in the US courts in 2001. A Californian district court ruled against Napster, ordering it to close its file-transferring service. Ultimately, the ninth circuit appeal's court upheld the decision of the district court against Napster in 2001. On appeal, the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld the decision in a landmark ruling in 2002 that forced Napster to close down its file-transferring Website and file for bankruptcy. (?Napster Lawsuit,? 2002 Findlaw) The court ruling, however, was far from a death-blow to the free downloading business on the Internet as there were a number of grey areas in the court's ruling that did not lift the cloud of confusion about the application of copyright laws on the Internet."
Abstract This paper explains that online radio, which simply rebroadcasts the content from existing, traditional radio stations or is solely virtual, has done the music industry much more good than harm because it is able to expose a greater diversity of people to artists and a greater diversity of artists to people. The author, using statistics, points out the correlation that the more you burn from the Internet, the more CDs you buy; therefore, the author seeks other causes for the lagging sales in the music industry, such as the recession, competition from other forms of entertainment, consolidation of radio stations, the ever-increasing CD prices, and even cellphones. The paper relates that the music industry's legal campaign against downloading is being circumvented by new technology, such as "Grouper", which only allows users to "stream" songs from a peer and, thus, operates legally under the "private performance" section of the copyright law.
Table of Contents
Introduction
History of Online Radio
History of Music Downloads Effects of Online Radio on the Music Industry
Effects of Music Downloads Current Legal Status of Downloading
From the Paper "As technology increased, so did the popularity of file sharing software like Napster. Although the use of such file-sharing software to download non-copyrighted material is not illegal, the propensity was for users to download copyrighted materials ("File Sharing"). For the last few years, the legalities of file sharing have made the issue one of the central debates. Record companies and musicians argue on both sides of the issue. Most, however, feel that unauthorized music downloads infringe on their livelihood and have negatively affected the profitability of the music industry as a whole. However, this may not be true."
Abstract This paper explains that the entertainment industry is undergoing critical changes worldwide caused by consolidation, file sharing and piracy. The author points out that it is expected that the market would continue to expand significantly with the use of new computer-based technologies, cable markets and direct digital-delivery of motion pictures through the satellite and the Internet. The paper relates that, following the success of the music industry in allowing computer owners to download songs from the Internet, a number of companies have already begun working to format movies into download formats. The author underscores that the downloading of movie files will present security problems such as hacking and unauthorized credit card use.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Movie Industry
Industry Trend
Key Factors
Copyright
Security
Market/ Audience Preference
Technology
Advertising/ Visibility
From the Paper "The Movie Industry is one of most dynamic businesses in the world. In 2001, gross revenues produced by movies worldwide amounted to US$ 40 billion. In the US, over 70% of the population rents or goes to movie houses regularly. Each year a total of 1.5 billion attendees is accounted each year. The motion picture before has only one major source of revenue but with the advent of home videos, cable, pay-per-view and the Internet, a new market has emerged. Over the past 10 years, there was an overall increase of at least 30% in ancillary markets and over 200% for home videos."
Tags: consumption population unauthorized sustainability, file sharing
Abstract The paper discusses how the music industry claims free music downloading has had a drastic impact on the careers of almost everyone involved in the creation, production and distribution of music. The paper argues that music piracy is in fact the best thing that has happened to the music industry since although it decreases CD sales, it increases musicians' exposure and saves the industry money that would otherwise be used on pointless promotions. The paper points out that Apple relies on free music downloading by society's youth in order to manufacture and sell devices that can hold an enormous amount of songs. The paper firmly believes that it is time the industry realizes they are benefiting from free music downloading instead of focusing on the negative aspects of this long battled debate.
From the Paper "In today's world, digital technology is constantly advancing allowing complex tasks to be completed by a simple click of a button. Shopping for a TV, a new video game, or any other item online requires the consumer's patience while the item is being shipped to its destination. Products sold through the Internet are not restricted to concrete items anymore. Due to advancements in computer hard drive space, music tracks and movies are being sold online, eliminating the trip to movie or record stores. According to Brian H. Murray in his book "Defending the Brand", the Internet has made an evolutionary change in business by allowing the consumer to purchase goods easier than ever before; however, " the explosive growth of internet users has spawned an equally explosive growth of internet abusers" (111)."
This paper discusses the case of Napster, an Internet music sharing company, which was forced by the courts and by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) to cease operations.
2,455 words (approx. 9.8 pages), 9 sources, MLA, $ 74.95
Abstract This paper explains that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) argued that Napster was infringing on copyright and illegally copying, distributing or "bootlegging", and downloading the copyrighted products of musicians. The author points out that the problem of pirating copyright material is not new; but the combination of the Napster technology, the Internet, and the ability of individuals to burn their own CDs off the Internet made pirating very easy, with digital sound quality just like the store bought merchandise. The paper relates that Napster, which is now owned by Roxio, Inc., the software inventor of many well-known CD-burning programs, is a subscription-based service that charges 99 cents per downloaded song; other peer-to-peer networks seem still to be striving.
From the Paper "Napster offered its users the opportunity to access music files held on every other users? hard drive. This, in turn, meant that users could download to their hard drive, and then burn to a Compact Disc (CD) if they so desired, literally hundreds of thousands of pieces of music. This threatened the producers of music (the musicians) and the copyright holders, the media companies, such as AOL Time Warner, Vivendi Universal, EMI and others. The revenue they generate by selling Compact Discs and tapes was threatened because Napster users could now obtain music and compile a music library without actually purchasing product from the companies themselves."
