Can anyone think of a possible solution for file sharing?

[Joseph Sun]

Is it just gonna keep getting worse? is there a way for everyone to be happy? Im just curious...

[MKTerra]

Now there's a bajillion-dollar question... :)

I think file-sharing has had a useful effect in some ways, since it's pushed media companies to offer legit downloads, and also pressures them against dragging their feet on regional releases. And in the worst cases where they still take forever to supply a region, well...

Anyway, it'd make me happier if copyright terms would stop being lengthened every time Mickey Mouse approached public-domain age. The terms now last 70-100 years beyond the creator's death, IIRC. It'd also be good if media companies stopped trying to kill fair use (ex. redefining it as "customary historic use" (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=104381)). On that note, take out the Digital Milennium Copyright Act (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DMCA), which outlaws breaking of copy protections. Since DVDs are copy-protected, it becomes technically illegal to exercise the "make a personal copy" fair-use right.

[literally exaggerated]

File sharing has actually helped the music business. At least, according to a number of economists it has. According to some others it hasn't. I know when Radiohead intentionally leaked Kid A onto Napster 3 weeks ahead of when the album went on sale, the album immediately shot to number 1, to date their only album thats reached that point.

Regardless, I'm all for it. Anything that simultaneously:

1.)Fucks over major record labels and corporate America
2.)Gives minor or indie bands, plus Radiohead, more exposure
and
3.)Gets me free music

is cool with me.

[Huh?]

Is it just gonna keep getting worse? is there a way for everyone to be happy? Im just curious...Aside from individuals buying the actual rights to songs, programs, films etc. (which would be really expensive) I can't think of anyway other than what iTunes already does as a way to meet in the middle.

[Charles RB]

Well, if you're a smart company, the possible solution is to capitalise on file sharing and go the iTunes route. Voila- you've just got a whole new market to exploit and without the same overhead costs of CD production.

[Donald M.]

Well, if you're a smart company, the possible solution is to capitalise on file sharing and go the iTunes route. Voila- you've just got a whole new market to exploit and without the same overhead costs of CD production.

Except that from what I've heard, iTunes isn't actually making any money.

[Charles RB]

Except that from what I've heard, iTunes isn't actually making any money.

It isn't? Now that's weird. Do you mean it's not making money as in, "it's a big financial flop bleeding red ink all over the place", or that's it not making money in the short term but will in the medium-long term (which happens all the time in business)?

[literally exaggerated]

yeah, didn't it take both Amazon and Yahoo almost a decade to even approach a profit?

[Tadhg Adams]

Except that from what I've heard, iTunes isn't actually making any money.

It is making money. It was initially conceived not to be a source of profit but well it exceeded all expectations.

[SOGG]

I actually think that the time of the big record label is over.

Think it through:

1.) RLs don't make music.
2.) RLs don't take risks on music that isn't 'public safe'
3.) The only value RLs provide the actual creator is distribution. But with the internet and internet penetration in their main market (US, Japan and Europe) widespread, artists can do that more effectively by hiring web page designers.
4.) While somewhat 'retro', the taped radio play of the past is the new file share. When file sharing is allowed, you give the song more means to propagate itself.
5.) This separates true fans of music from 'casual fans'-- people who buy cds impulsively, skewing market information. Real fans would support the artist via concerts or official downloads.
6.) RLs make money the way most economies-of-scale businesses do. When more people buy a specific thing many times. It is in their interest to make music generic so that they can look for the next recording artist via formula. (Or create him/her/it in the case of the current batch of auto-toned 'stars')


What about the artists then that get their big break because of an advance by a record company? File sharing actually works in their favour. A combination of a website and local support can go a long way.

My opinion seems a little too 'pat' though and I'd welcome the opinion of someone who believes otherwise.

[Theophilus]

It is making money. It was initially conceived not to be a source of profit but well it exceeded all expectations.

Plus you add the positive effects on iPod sales.

[Callie]

It is definitely turning a profit. Here's a link to an article from October:

http://www.macobserver.com/stockwatch/2005/10/11.3.shtml

[MKTerra]

Except that from what I've heard, iTunes isn't actually making any money.As I understand, it doesn't make money for Apple because the record labels take most of the profit. Apple makes its money from iPod sales. IIRC the labels tried getting a cut of iPod profits too, but I forget how that went down. They've also pushed for variable pricing, with Apple resisting.

[Flawless P]

File sharing = leave it the way it is currently and then those smart enough to get away with it can and the stupid ones can pay them back the millions they miss out on.

[Donald Stone]

As I understand, it doesn't make money for Apple because the record labels take most of the profit. Apple makes its money from iPod sales. IIRC the labels tried getting a cut of iPod profits too, but I forget how that went down. They've also pushed for variable pricing, with Apple resisting.Apple makes a bit of money from each song, but their enormous bandwith costs eat that up. But it sells iPods, so Apple is happy.

As for variable pricing that the studios want, seeing as how they've caught the attention of the feds for price fixing* becasue of it, I don't see it happening.


*The fact that all the studios asked for exactly the same thing in terms of pricing made a couple federal judges go "Hmm, thats interesting" and start digging.

[Endel]

free music is a nice change from $15 a CD. i <3 DC++