Downloading music

By downloading music to your computer you are forcing the music industry to undergo what is probably its most significant change yet, and that's a good thing. Many artists are now distributing their music directly through their own websites, and offer samples and previews to download or stream.

File sharing techniques, are also very popular amongst music downloaders, but the the major record labels, represented by the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America), maintain that this practise is an infringement of copyright, and are trying to stamp it out in favour of promoting purchases of CDs or downloads from licensed sites.

Is it wrong to share?

Many of the RIAA’s tactics are regarded as unfair and excessive, and the situation has got to the point where some artists are beginning to distance themselves from the record companies, claiming that the industry is not acting on their behalf.

Chuck D of 'Public Enemy' has stated;

"Lawsuits on 12-year-old kids for downloading free music & duping a mother into paying a $2,000 settlement? Those tactics are pure Gestapo".

More artists' views

The record industry claims that file sharing is responsible for the downturn in sales over the last few years, but others have argued that it is the music companies themselves that are the ones to blame. Click here to learn why downloading free music might not be as bad as they would have you believe.

So while the recording industry litigates and sues people, the clever musicians are taking full advantage of the Internet. They have confidence that by distributing their material independently they can maintain control of their work, create a bigger fan-base, and sell more tickets & merchandise.

Is this the way forward, only time will tell, but it is certainly becoming more accepted that downloading music from the Internet is probably the best vehicle for discovering new bands and helping quality talent grow.

Downloading music properly, with the step-by-step tutorials and more in
'The Essential Guide to Downloading'