EdwardKnoxII 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2004 Is the Music Industry Stuck in the Past? Companies must embrace digital distribution, report says. Macworld.co.uk staff, Macworld.co.uk The music business needs to adopt new business models that embrace digital music distribution, rather than engage in costly legal action, a research firm claims. In its report, 'Thinking outside the disc', Dallas-based analyst firm Parks Associates suggests the music industry has "so far failed to adapt" to the digital age. The analysts argue that the businesses fight digital piracy by creating a free music-on-demand service that relies on advertising for its income stream. Changing Marketplace Research analyst John Barrett said: "Digital music has changed the market, and business models need to change too or the industry will suffer the consequences. "Even if file-swapping networks were to magically disappear, the traditional revenue models would still be under strain," he warns. Barrett argues that the recording industry has always been able to sell the same musical works multiple times to the same consumer simply by repackaging it. "Digital music allows consumers to repackage music themselves," he warns. The music business is unlikely to adopt such a business model, however, as industries reliant on advertising have been hard hit by an advertising slump in recent years. Sticking With Vinyl? Industry insiders also point out that conventional audio CDs have only finite shelf-lives, and that digital music collections can themselves be lost, through computer error or theft. "If consumers want to keep music, they should buy vinyl--it lasts for years," a music executive told Macworld. In related news, Roxio will launch its Napster 2.0 beta service Thursday morning in New York. The service will launch fully October 29, the company Web site claims. The digital distribution industry is an increasingly crowded place--AOL Time Warner yesterday revealed plans to launch a European music download service by next spring and an online radio station next week. This service will be available to AOL subscribers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Murmuring Beast 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2004 Sticking With Vinyl? Industry insiders also point out that conventional audio CDs have only finite shelf-lives, and that digital music collections can themselves be lost, through computer error or theft. "If consumers want to keep music, they should buy vinyl--it lasts for years," a music executive told Macworld. Rubbish. Vinyl doesn't last for years if you continually play music like me. It's great for cover art and pretty trendy too, but it isn't portable in the slightest. My theory is: if people really like music and appreciate it, they'll buy it on CD and possibly vinyl for fanatacism. If music is shite, it deserves to be downloaded and lost through computer errors. Real music prevails. Disposable music will remain on the computer until the person sees the sense to delete it and buy something worthwhile. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted January 9, 2004 Music Industry should try to repackage the music on new mediums like DVD-Audio. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
