Slashdot Mirror
Legal Music Downloads At 35%, Soon To Pass Piracy
bonch writes "Entertainment Media Research released a study stating that 35% of music listeners are using legal download services, and that the percentage will soon surpass illegal downloads, currently at 40%. Slashdot has also previously reported on services like iTunes gaining in popularity over P2P services. "The findings indicate that the music industry is approaching a strategic milestone with the population of legal downloaders close to exceeding that of pirates," said Entertainment Media Research chief executive Russell Hart.'"
"For something as ethereal as bits on a platter, it hardly seems worth it to pay USD1.00 for a song. If I buy a CD for USD15.00, I get about 15 songs, so the price of the music is the same, and in addition I also get a nice case and a physical disk and liner notes."
That's all fine and dandy, except that you're likely paying for songs you don't want. All for the benefit of having a little platter with bits on it and a few scribbles on a piece of paper.
For a song I want, $1 per download is quite reasonable.
"Derp de derp."
You would think something like the VHS tape would destroy the movie industry. Just like downloading music has destroyed the music industry.
Err.... wait a minute... it didn't!
Come on, now, that's a cheesy analogy. In the VHS analogy, it's the hard drive we're talking about. VHS didn't trash the movie industry because you have the material delivered to you by basically paid-for means (like ad-supported broadcast or subscribed cable). And you can't take that VHS tape and make an absolutely perfect copy of it available to thousands of people instantly. Very, very different situation.
Don't disappoint your bird dog. Go to the range.