June 19th, 2010
How to Find Music to Download Legally Online
So why so much buzz about music download websites? There’s a large amount of legal concern surrounding most music download sites. Websites that offer free music downloads are often done illegally. When free music download sites are discovered, they are quickly shut down, and the webmaster faces legal action.
The Double-Edged Sword
The music download debacle is a double-edged sword. People download free music against the wishes of music labels everywhere. Many labels complain that downloaded music is cutting into their clients’ profits. Some have produced statistical reports showing how sales are decreasing and place the blame on websites that offer free downloads of music.
On the other hand, some music labels are publishing increases in sales due to free downloads. They claim that people listen to their music online and rush out to purchase the CD. Some say they have seen as much as a 28 percent increase in sales. What better form of free advertising than a free download here and there?
According to one report, an estimated 2 billion songs are downloaded illegally each month. In a related report 23 percent of music listeners said they are not buying CDs because they have the ability to download their favorites for free. Many readers would like to know where these reports and statistics are coming from.
The Down-Side to Downloading
The biggest concern facing those who download music from free sites is probably the legal ramifications of their actions. When under investigation, peer-to-peer download sites could have all clients tracked. If they are required to track activity to their site, they are required to report their findings to authorities. Some of this information is the Internet Protocol address of the person downloading the music. Your IP address acts much like your home address for your computer. Authorities may trace your IP address and arrest you at your home for downloading illegal files.
In addition to potential legal problems, many peer-to-peer download sites are chock full of computer viruses. Computer viruses may cause uncontrollable and uncountable pop-ups to invade your monitor while you’re trying to browse the Internet. Other, more serious computer viruses can completely debilitate your computer, making it worthless.
Good News for Independents
Independent musicians are those who have no recording label. Independents are responsible for their own recording, marketing, advertising and so on. One of the most expensive parts of gaining your fame in the music world is exposure. Having your music played on the radio is very expensive. The Internet and digital recordings have become the independent musician’s best friend. Indies can record their own music, using the proper equipment, and promote their music as free or inexpensive downloads all over the Web.
Popular social and viral video networking sites have made it even easier than ever for independent artists to promote their music. When people listen to their music via one of these sites, they have the option to add them to a friend or buddy list. Their other friends see this new independent band profile on the list of someone they trust, so they visit as well. Independents usually place a snippet of their music on their website so visitors can listen. They also offer individual downloads of songs for as little as $0.99 per song.