So, I bought a album the other day and thought it was great.
Now, I don't normally purchase music, but I do when it is a band that I like, and has proven that there will be more than a catchy single on the CD. The one I purchased was the new alubm by a group from texas called Bowling For Soup. I am a big fan of their music and for that, I bought the CD.
Now, I don't want cries of unfairness for any of the music I own, legally or not. That is not what this is about, but I will say this: If you don't want to have your stuff pirated, make something worth buying.
The snag in all this was wanting to get my boss to listen to the CD. I popped it into the computer and was surprised that I was not able to access the actual music. I got a interesting video thing that I didn't bother to watch because I wanted to get my boss to listen to the great music, not some commentary. Hook with music, than the otehr stuff will come.
No matter what I tried, I could not access the song files. It seems that the music industry is getting crafty when it comes to the safety of their investments. I confirmed with a friend, and yes, it is happening more and more often. He then told me a story about the latest offering from the Beastie Boys. They are very vocal about music and had offered live feeds and MP3 formats of their latest when it came out for free downloads. What they didn't know is that the record company, in keeping the safety of their investment in the band safe, had used the same safeguard as the one I am discribing on another album. Virtually, they are making it impossible to have the music copied, but also doing something else: Eliminate a key way that people listen to music.
Hell, I listen to music everywhere. I can't think of a picture taken of me in the last five years that doesn't somehow have a set of earphones on me. My driver's license has me wearing earphones. But, at work, I only have my PC to listen to music. At home, I don't own a stereo...wait, I do..it's called my PC. A lot of my friends are the same way. I imagine that more and more people are using their computers as their home entertainment systmes now, music included. So, why prevent people from using this tool? Piracy figures from last year show that the music industry lost, ESTIAMTED, 20 million. Estimated. There is no way of proving whether they did or didn't. Did record sales in the last few years take a dip? Yes. Is it all due to piracy? Hell no it isn't.
So, by eliminating the PC as a way to listen to music, will that hurt or help? I'm leaning towards hurt. The PC has become such a focal point in a lot of people's lives that such a use might hurt CD sales more. Will it be noticable to the industry. Yes, I think it will. I also think that this technique will allow the big music companies time to breath, knowing that they have started a plan to stop music theft. I don`t think, as I have stated above, that it is a surefire, effective way to handle the problem. I think it is stalling until they come out with a better solution. Unfortunately for them, the digital revolution for music (and software) is here and it isn`t going anywhere.
Now, if you`ll excuse me, I have to download this album I bought so my boss can hear it at work.