(A Web version of this project is also available.)

    Digital music is a huge business nowadays. Web sites such as MP3 and Goodnoise offer their viewers the ability to listen to music without having to go buy the cd. Unfortunately, many people have taken advantage of these sites and much controversy has arisen. It has become a battle between the fed-up consumer and the record industry - the makers of MP3’s and other software that helps consumers download songs are just sitting back and counting their profits.

    MP3, or MPEG-1 Layer 3, is a file format that stores audio files on a computer. MP3’s go through a process called psycoacoustic compression which allows entire songs to be recorded and stored. The sounds are divided and filtered and eventually end up taking up little space wherever the consumer chooses to store it. The makers of the original MP3 claim to have envisioned the success of the product. It is interesting to note, however, that they say they are against the piracy taking place. In the meantime, they are making products and software which benefit from the piracy.

    College students are the majority of consumers benefiting from this piracy as well. Many have access to faster modems, high-quality software, and other products which makes the process more efficient. Some even make and sell their own cd’s by downloading songs via the ‘net.

    It is not hard to see why people take advantage of the system. Many are tired of paying so much money for a cd - especially when they don’t enjoy all of the songs. There is a brief moment of rationalization, and then when they see that it all boils down to a series of 1’s and 0’s, they don’t feel so bad anymore. It is so simple to click a button and possess the music of one’s choice. People also tend to justify their actions more when they desire something but cannot afford it. And if no one is around to see them (ie - they are supposedly "anonymous" at their computer terminal), they often do things they would not otherwise do.

    Recently the Secured Digital Music Initiative (S.D.M.I.) was formed to tackle piracy issues. Major record labels, artists, software, hardware and MP3 vendors, retailers, music-content web sites, and many others are joining the fight. They are trying to create a system where people can download music from the internet by purchasing it online.

    This would help out the recording industry as well as the artists. Right now, they are the one’s that are really suffering. Many artists are afraid to put their music online because of the inherent risks. By contacting legislators and organizing anti-piracy campaigns, they are beginning to combat the issue. A law suit has already been taken out on the maker of a portable MP3 player.

    Unfortunately, the trend of "beating the system" is growing. Webcasting has become a popular phenomenon within the past year. Consumers who download MP3’s create a site to broadcast their music. Listeners tune in to the site and often can download songs or trade music to store. With companies such as Diamond Rio making portable MP3 players and other such gadgets, it is becoming easier and easier to do.

    If Congress can begin passing laws mandating security on the internet, then perhaps the recording industry and artists will stop losing money. It is not at the point yet where losses are significant, but with the growth of internet communication, piracy is bound to grow. Society must step up and refuse to allow consumers to take such gross advantage of the music industry. Perhaps if the industry lowers costs, this can happen.

Back To Top
Back to Cyberspace Home Page