[Ecommerce] BBC Article on Musicians and the Net

[Manon Ress]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4067031.stm

Musicians 'upbeat' about the net
By Alfred Hermida
Technology editor, BBC News website


The study by US researchers, Pew Internet, suggests musicians do not
agree with the tactics adopted by the music industry against file-sharing.

While most considered file-sharing as illegal, many disagreed with the
lawsuits launched against downloaders.

"Even successful artists don't think the lawsuits will benefit
musicians," said report author Mary Madden.

Indie voices

For part of the study, Pew Internet conducted an online survey of 2,755
musicians, songwriters and music publishers via musician membership
organisations between March and April 2004.


We always hear the views of successful artists like the Britneys of the
world but the less successful artists rarely get represented
Mary Madden, Pew Internet
They ranged from full-time, successful musicians to artists struggling
to make a living from their music.

"We looked at more of the independent musicians, rather than the
rockstars of this industry but that reflects more accurately the state
of the music industry," Ms Madden told the BBC News website.

"We always hear the views of successful artists like the Britneys of the
world but the less successful artists rarely get represented."

The survey found that musicians were overwhelmingly positive about the
internet, rather than seeing it as a threat to their livelihood.

Almost all of them used the net for ideas and inspiration, with nine out
of 10 going online to promote, advertise and post their music on the web.

More than 80% offered free samples online, while two-thirds sold their
music via the net.

Independent musicians, in particular, saw the internet as a way to get
around the need to land a record contract and reach fans directly.

"Musicians are embracing the internet enthusiastically," said Ms Madden.

"They are using the internet to gain inspiration, sell it online,
tracking royalties, learning about copyright."

Tactical changes

Perhaps surprisingly, opinions about online file-sharing were diverse
and not as clear cut as those of the record industry.


Through the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), it has
pursued an aggressive campaign through the courts to sue people
suspected of sharing copyrighted music.

But the report suggests this campaign does not have the wholehearted
backing of musicians in the US.

It found that most artists saw file-sharing as both good and bad, though
most agreed that it should be illegal.

"Free downloading has killed opportunities for new bands to break
without major funding and backing," said one musician quoted by the report.

"It's hard to keep making records if they don't pay for themselves
through sales."

However 60% said they did not think the lawsuits against song swappers
would benefit musicians and songwriters.

Many suggested that rather than fighting file-sharing, the music
industry needed to recognise the changes it has brought and embrace it.

"Both successful and struggling musicians were more likely to say that
the internet has made it possible for them to make more money from their
music, rather than make it harder for them to protect their material
from piracy," said Ms Madden.

MUSICIANS AND THE NET
87% use it to advertise and post music online
83% offer free samples
77% have a website
69% sell songs online
Source: Pew Internet


--
Manon Anne Ress
manon.ress@cptech.org,
www.cptech.org

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