The discussion surrounding whether or not file-sharing (or as law abiding citizens call it: music piracy) has been a long drawn out debate that truly is unnecessary. Millions of people around the world have access to the Internet, giving them the ability to download music at will. However, those same music lovers are still out purchasing albums and supporting artists they have grown to enjoy. The fact is music file-sharing does not have a major effect on the sales of albums. A study done by Felix Oberholzer, a Harvard Business Professor, discovered there to be no effects of file-sharing with the sales of albums. Not only through researches like Oberholzer’s are there no effects on the outcome of sales, but we as an audience and fans of musical artists see and hear about successful album releases of artists that we enjoy.
The concept of file-sharing is simple. A person “leaks” or uploads a song or an album on to the Internet, and from that places it into a network where others on the Internet have the ability to download that file. The process has had a tarnished reputation ever since its upbringing with the network Napster, because many felt that it stole millions of dollars from artists. However, these accusations are simply untrue as documented in the essay “File-Sharing and Copyright” by Felix Oberholzer in 2009. The ability of file-sharing has actual seen an increase in the amount of sales for various artists. For me, when ever I hear a good song and get it from a friend, I have been more prone to purchasing the album. Oberholzer made a great historical comparison in his essay with regards to file-sharing. He found in an article done by Ronald Coase called, “Payola Radio and Television Broadcasting”, that “Music companies fought the introduction of radio in the 1920s, fearing the new medium would provide close substitutes to buying records. Since that time, the numerous attempts to bribe radio stations in the hopes of influencing playlists suggest the industry has come to see radio as an important complement to recordings.” Although in this day and age it is difficult to pinpoint the exact amount of downloads compared to purchases, file-sharing is seemingly the newest medium to marketing albums. Oberholzer supported this theory later on in his essay by claiming, “Popularity of a release increases both file-sharing activity and sales.” And in a collection of a majority of the studies done about the effects of file-sharing on sales, although mixed, supports the theory that an increase in file-sharing increases the amount of sales.
Not only are Oberholzer’s findings a result of years of research and study, they are also consistent with artists that I am fans of also. In the recent documentary of Lil’ Wayne, “The Carter”, which was filmed during the release of his album “The Carter 3”, there were situations that resembled Oberholzer’s research. In the film Lil’ Wayne’s manager discovers from Universal Studios that the album has been downloaded nearly one million times about ten days before release. However, after one week of the albums release Lil’ Wayne had sold over one million copies of his album making him go platinum. This achievement correlates nearly exactly with Oberholzer’s research stating that an increase in file-sharing causes an increase in sales.
Both Lil’ Wayne’s album release story and the research done by Felix Oberholzer reveal that file-sharing has no effects on sales. Instead, file-sharing should be seen as a medium for marketing artists and albums. Music fans enjoy having free things, but also enjoy supporting artists they listen to every day of their lives.
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love carter III.
ReplyDeleteyou can download it here.
http://www.mediafire.com/?c10tmmtxv04
Sounds like an interesting study by Oberholzer. From my personal experience I would say that I never really bought many CDs but since I've had access to downloading music I haven't bought any CDs. I think people who want the CDs are going to buy them regardless of whether they can download them or not. Event if file sharing can be prevented, a substantial amount of people will still burn CDs from each other. I think music and artists definitely benefit from music being downloaded. There are countless musicians who benefit from file sharing in a sense that more and more people know who they are and people who might not buy their music will still listen to them and become a fan. This can benefit them in the long run as a higher fan base will allow them to make more through concerts and other events.
ReplyDeleteI agree Kevin, file sharing and the internet are just new mediums to get the music out there.There are great examples like soulja boy that made one hit and turned it into millions by promoting himself through myspace and youtube.If anything these mediums are direct contributers to the music industries sucess over the last decade
ReplyDelete"Have you heard of..." and "let me burn this to a disc for you" have been two phrases that I have heard and used myself. I listen to a lot of music and there are a ton of obscure bands on my iPod. File sharing has become one of the best ways to share new music. Sort of a "word of mouth" method via internet. I download something I like (or think I might like) and that usually leads to me buying the album.
ReplyDeleteEven well known artists partake in internet downloading. Radiohead released an entire album for free downloading on their website. They said that music should be enjoyed, free or not. Granted the free release was limited, people heard about it from friends and are still purchasing it.
The CD is dead! It came and went. Digital music and vinyl are the only two mediums for music that are never going to die.
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