The New Black Market

Patrick Crosby

English 50

            Right now with out anyone even realizing it there is a new black market forming, one that does not primarily sell items but shares them. This illegal place of commerce is the internet, more specifically, the world of MP3 and file sharing.

While not as popular as some of the other controversial issues that our society debates on a regular basis, file sharing is dilemma that affects many Americans today. While the vast majority of people in the world listen to some form of music, you can bet they are obtaining it via the internet.

The argument mainly lies with artists and record labels, some of which are on the side of file sharing and back it one hundred percent, while others including mega stars Metallica, choose to fight against file sharing under the claim that downloading MP3’s takes away from potential record sales.

Statistics show that the music industry has taken a considerable hit since the downloading software, in its earliest form, Napster, was introduced in the late 1990’s. Combined with the innovative invention of the compact disc burner, people began downloading songs and putting them on a record able CD, making the purchase of the real CD obsolete.

As the number of sales declined, the backlash began and the debate fueled. Artists from all genres came to the table to put their thoughts in. Piracy became and issue, where people began selling these copied versions of music amongst other forms of duplicated media. While the obvious sense of negativity for file sharing loomed over the music industry, many artists were huge proponents of the downloading craze.

The artists that were not on MTV and even some who were have come out and spoken their support for MP3’s. From bands of the indie rock persuasion to underground hip hop acts, the simple act of downloading has aided their rise and hopeful stardom ten fold. Now people have a well know place where they can learn about new music. These artists mainly do not make their money on record sales but primarily on touring (concerts sales) and merchandise other than CD’s. Without the new found method, it was nearly impossibly to break into the music industry and be successful with out the backing and advertising of a major record label.

The story of one musical act sticks out in my mind. A band by the name of Thursday, hailing from the suburbs of New Jersey began playing just before the MP3 craze began. While originally catering to a select group of people in the emotional rock scene they were more than likely condemned to this audience for the entirety of their music careers. As downloading became more and more popular, they began telling their audience and crowds that you don’t need money to listen to good music, they began encouraging the downloading and distribution of their music on “burnt CD’s” between fans of all types of music, not just Thiers. Slowly their popularity grew. Now they are one of the more popular up and coming rock acts out there. Having just signed a record contract with Island/Def Jam Records, Thursday recently sold 73,000 copies of their new album “War All the Time” in the first week. That is more than ¼ of the total amount sold for their last album. Clearly this shows the upside of MP3’s. Unfortunately this isn’t always the case around this controversy.

Just last month an eleven year old girl, amongst a handful of others, was sued by a group of record labels in New York, for illegally downloading songs on her computer. The penalty was to be settled on an individual basis; however other cases averaged at about a $1,400 penalty. Since this incident, there has been an outcry of support against these music conglomerates, most visibly was the RIAA petition that blasted those against file sharing.

With all this controversy, I propose a resolution. I personally feel that if an artist wants his or her music to be shared via the internet then he should be able to. What I propose is a system where only the artists that choose to participate can have their music downloaded. If an artist chooses not to cooperate with the new program they do not have to. This would eliminate any qualms either side of the argument would have. Also it may force the artists against the new method to coincide any way, due to a possible backlash from fans. The risk is their but I feel this is more than a feasible and fair alternative.

Unfortunately, I am sure there are some who are turned off by this dilemma and want to ditch music all together. Certainly this is not the answer. Music is supposed to be enjoyed by everyone no matter what form, so hopefully people will continue you to seek out new artists while embracing old ones and the music industry and scene will continue and flourish for years to come.