Band looks for ways around illegal downloads
In years past the Record industries’ biggest worry was the
occasional mixtape made by consumers who went through the pain
staking process of recording songs from their CDs to a cassette.
Back then, no one talked about it being illegal to copy a bunch of
songs onto a tape for one’s best friend or latest crush. But as
technology advanced, it has become easier and easier to download,
burn and distribute copyrighted music
– with much less effort.
Band looks for ways around illegal downloads
In years past the Record industries’ biggest worry was the occasional mixtape made by consumers who went through the pain staking process of recording songs from their CDs to a cassette. Back then, no one talked about it being illegal to copy a bunch of songs onto a tape for one’s best friend or latest crush. But as technology advanced, it has become easier and easier to download, burn and distribute copyrighted music – with much less effort.
The record industry has been trying to figure out different ways in which to combat the increasing rate of illegal downloads for the past decade.
“We estimate conservatively that the U.S. music industry loses more than $300 million per year to street piracy alone,” according to the Record Industry Association of America’s Web site.
Downloaded and dispersed music is being spun with little notice of the record companies’ plea and even iTunes recently tried to satisfy listeners by providing copyright-protection free songs. The effects seen are minimal.
Canadian artists Stars and record label Arts and Crafts have found their own solution to the problem by digitally releasing the bands fourth studio album two and a half months before the listed release. Stars is an indie rock band, that is still a little under the radar.
Right now Stars’ album “In our bedroom after the war” is available through paid download from many Web sites including their record label Arts and Crafts site as well as iTunes. The physical copy will still not be released until late September. It is an unprecedented move on the part of the record company, which in most cases holds the record under wraps for fear of it being leaked.
“Traditional music business practice says we are to begin sending out copies of this album now. We give advance copies to print publications in hopes of securing features that coincide with our September date. We meet with radio stations in hopes of securing airplay. etc, etc. Inevitably someone will leak the album,” record company staff wrote on the Stars Web site.
“Throughout this process, the most important people in this value chain, the fans, are given only two options – wait until September 25th to legally purchase the new album or choose from a variety of sources and download the album for free, at any time.”
On the site, the staff writes they hope fans will choose to support the band by purchasing the album, but they should not have to wait until Sept. 25.
On Stars Web site, band members and record company staff cite the blurred line between traditional media, newspaper, radio and the audience as the reason for this.
“What is the difference between a writer for a big, glossy music magazine and a student writing about their favorite bands on their blog?”
With iTunes reporting a whopping 2 billion songs sold last year and record industry executives frustrated over slipping cd sales, it is no wonder that new alternatives are popping up.
Artists and record label executives are in a hurry to capitalize on the profit of a new release. The question this new approach raises is whether consumers will choose the legal alternative or will it be the status quo for music downloaders?
“It’s our hope that given a clear, legal alternative to downloading music for free, you [people] will choose to support the creators,” Stars band members wrote in an online post.
While iTunes offers most song downloads for 99 cents, such sites as Kazaa and Lime Wire are among the few peer to peer file sharing sites offering cheaper or free alternatives to legal purchases.
Another factor that makes this action a risk to the artist and record company is motivation. The concern is if the album is leaked two months before the CD is released, consumers won’t buy it.
This is the fist band to do something like this and depending on its success or failure, it could shape the way the music industry does business in the future.
A 20-year-old Hollister resident and computer whiz kid, who asked that his name not be used, is unaffected by the event. He will continue to download the music he wants to hear without paying for it. The man, who has been downloading music for years looked puzzled as he tried to remember the last time he bought a cd.
“I think I have bought one cd over the last three years,” he said.
He admitted to having as many as 3,000-4,000 songs on his computer at one time.
“I’ve been a problem for the record industry,” he said, jokingly.
The next day, he added his thoughts on Stars early online release.
“I think it will affect the market. Legitimate people who are already buying online will move to that,” he said. “The people, who already get it for free, will get it for free earlier.”
Another Hollister resident, 18, said the early availability doesn’t really affect him very much.
“I get most of my stuff leaked,” said Joe, who asked not to have his last name printed. “I probably have two artists that I will go out and buy their CD but besides that…”
For now, the members of Stars can cross their proverbial fingers and hope that fans turn out and buy their new album, which hits stores September 25th. If sales of the album are successful look for more artists to release digital versions of their music early.
