Record Labels Contemplate Unrestricted Digital Music

CANNES, France, Jan.22

As even digital music revenue growth falters because of rampant file-sharing by consumers, the major record labels are moving closer to releasing music on the Internet with no copying restrictions--a step they once vowed never to take.

Ever since the invention of the MP3 player, digital music has been regarded as practically "free". It is so easy to illegally download music without even thinking about the record companies who are drastically losing money. It seems as though they are now finally doing somthing about it.

The EMI Group is now going to offer free streaming music on Baidu.com, the leading Web site and search engine in China, where 90 percent of music is pirated. The two companies are looking into developing an advertising-supported music downloading service. This past summer EMI licensed its recording to Qtrax, an ad-supported music distribution service. I think this will be an excellent way to download music while still giving recognition to artists and copyright shareholders.

Record labels have been trying to keep sales up without giving in to the power of the Internet and free music downloads. We know that itunes has been offering services that are cheap and easy, but why pay a dollar when you can get it for free? I think the record companies are now on the right track about partnering up with advertising-supported music sites.

By Adrian Reamey