Digital Downloads

The Digital Economy Act 2010 was passed in April of this year and came into force in June: the law allows Internet Service Providers to terminate customer’s internet access if they are caught downloading copyrighted content illegally. In response to this, a controversial debate has blossomed, questioning whether it is viably possible, or right, to control the piracy of copyrighted content and whether the music industry can do anything to steer people away from tempting, free, but illegal, downloads. There are numerous sites where music can be legally downloaded, such as iTunes and Amazon, at prices lower than off-the-shelf products. Yet despite the increase in legal downloads, illegal ones are still rife.

‘Six million broadband users are estimated to download files illegally every year in the UK in a practice that music and film companies claim is costing them billions of pounds in lost revenue annually.’ Therefore it is obvious that placing a filter on the population’s ability to download files illegally is impossible. The British government’s sole response to the rise in illegal downloads has been to pass new, threatening legislation that criminalises illegal down-loaders. However, it is hard to feel a sense of wrong-doing when sitting in front of your own computer, anonymously sampling the newest songs, when they are so readily available for free. Such copyright laws should be updated to match modern rates of internet activity, since arresting six million broadband users is clearly a little far-fetched.

The beauty of buying a CD is in the aesthetics, quick transactions and knowing it is completely legal. You saw the CD, you took the CD to the till, you handed over a £10 note and (possibly) received the change. Done. However, this new age of hyper connectivity encourages a sense of laziness; we want to be able to order everything from the comfort of our homes. It is understandable that a tangible CD is becoming as obsolete as a cassette; people no longer want to walk to their local media store and browse. We know what we want and it is always immediately available.

CD sales are said to be down 20% since 2004 in favour of digital downloads. iTunes is currently the most popular host of music, films and TV shows, all available for typically slightly less than the retail prices. An account has to be made with Apple and a debit or credit card registered and you’re good to go. At the click of a button and the blink of an eye (depending on your download speeds, of course) you can have a whole album on your computer and you can listen at your leisure. Other websites such as Amazon and the relatively new Bandcamp also sell digital MP3’s for download. Bandcamp, however, is at the head of a new social experiment that offers a new kind of service: the customer chooses how much they want to pay for an album. Radiohead tried a similar method with their latest album, though it was largely unsuccessful as 62% of those who downloaded it did so for free.

Bandcamp offers a direct fan to artist connection though, completely cutting out the record companies: all money goes directly to the artist’s bank account and, most importantly, the artist can choose a minimum price at which to sell their work. This is a new system and very few artists have actually set themselves up on Bandcamp, but I see it as a wonderful alternative to paying a set price to iTunes knowing that a large percentage goes to the industrial machine. Having recently downloaded Zoe Keating’s newest album Into The Trees which she offered on Bandcamp for a minimum of $8, I willingly paid $10, happily knowing that all the money is going directly to the artist who deserves it. Of course there is still the option to ignore iTunes and Bandcamp altogether and, if one has the knowledge, download for free, illegally. Many people will still choose this option for ease and value, and it is unfortunately an appealing market to (not) buy into.

The fact that so many different methods of downloading music exist does seem to suggest the final nail in the coffin is not far away for CD sales. At the moment CDs are still made and sold at a reasonable rate and turnover, but with their popularity steadily falling, you have to wonder how long it will be until digital media is the only form available. If this comes to pass, an inevitable crack down on illegal downloads will be attempted and conflict between providers such as iTunes and Bandcamp may force a change in the way we obtain our entertainment. I, however, cannot see an end to illegal downloads. Free content will always be appealing and the act of copying music can never be prevented by any government. What I do hope however, is that a direct fan to artist connection will be created in the future that will encourage a fairer distribution of costs between the artist and the provider, whether this provider be a record company, or an online host for the music itself.

Laura Jones