Article
The music industry has been on along honeymoon with iTunes and copyright protection on online music sales. Now that its over record labels are beginning to have second thoughts because iTunes has become a powerhouse with no other alternatives.
Copyright protection has allowed iTunes to keep its music on the iPod and off of other MP3 players. This has allowed Steve Jobs to sink his vampire teeth into music sales, but record labels haven't completely given up yet. Their white knight comes in the form of Amazon's MP3 store which has become the No. 2 in online music sales.
Amazon offers only music thats not copyright protected allowing a user to uses their music on a iPod or Zune or any other MP3 player. Record labels originally wanted the security of having copyright protection, but now in hind sight it has cost them dearly.
There are still fears that piracy might begin to creep back into the lime-light again and become and issue. But the only other option they have is to wear a latex gimp suit while being handcuffed by Steve Jobs...I'd go with the pirates.
3 comments:
A lot of times, when people say they want this or that, they almost never think about how it will effect them in the long run. This might be the case with record labels. I think that things wil be worked out soon enough though and a common ground will be found. While illegal downloading is what the companies don't want, they may be able to find some other ways to fight it other than copyright protection.
It looks like amazon.com has created a good alternative to music for people MP3 players. The record labels who have copyright protection may be kicking themselve now but down the road there will be something to come along to make everything compatiable for everyone.
This is something that I think will continue to be an issue. They may settle it for now, but hopefully they will be able to settle it. I can not tell you the last time that I bought a CD. I use Limewire, which is horrible for your computer. Until they come up with an alternative iTunes will will continue to be a powerhouse. I hope that they do not have to take it as far as copyright protection.
Post a Comment