Facebook's Role in Internet Piracy

How much does a 'Free Download' really cost? 

Facebook has entered the ring of free music downloads. What makes this instance unique is that it provided by the artists themselves! One might ask, why would artists assist in the 'pirating' their music? The logic behind this process is that in rewarding fans by giving giving "them access to free content such as MP3s” (diymusician).

Chris Webby's Fan Page has help him expand his fan base

“Engaging fans is one way to keep them happy; rewarding them is another”, and that is exactly how to help promote ones music (Mashable). Obviously once a song is of a certain amount of popularity, the artist removes the option for free download but by that time the song is popular the fan is willing buy the song. What is amazing about Facebook is it ability to help someone expand their reach in a short time due to the web theory. By having downloaders post that they have 'liked' on their page, you have just had the chance to have impressions with all of that user's active "friends". It is exposure in exchange for free product. 

Ever since I was young, I usually was one of the first enjoyers of new music. To today's vernacular, I was a 'hipster' for music (and still to this day). WIth this obsession with finding the hidden gems, I am privy to free downloads on fan pages before it has reached the max 'free download' limit. My viewing (and other pioneers like me), however, facilitate that artist's growth. So I guess its a win-win> 

THE DIGITAL AGE {opinion}

The Digital Age

In the direct step with the dawn of the digital age, there has been an extraordinary increase in the amount of internet piracy occurring around the world (primarily in the more technologically advanced nations). The reason that this is occurring more often now than in the past is that it is so much simpler to achieve than before that it is illogical (by the consumer's perspective) not to. Not only is it simple to find songs on certain file-sharing websites, music has also available all throughout the internet (YouTube, Pandora, Spotify). No longer are people locked into buying an album or settling on the limited songs of the radio. 

TurnTable.fm 

While I write this, I am listening (and DJing) on a website called Turntable™ where I can listen to music uploaded by 'music aficionados' and producers looking for input by a digital audience on whether the song is 'awesome' or 'lame'. Even though it is beneficial for upcoming artist to have their music grow, these websites impede on their profits. This seems to be the fork in the road for the media industry. As it is hard to truly crack down on piracy, due to the fact that the majority of music sharing isn't illegal and is operated by legal corporations. The profit center for this industry has transitioned to live entertainment, ad revenue of YouTube (and other music sharing websites with adverts), and merchandise. The two options are: to adjust the business model, or fight to keep the status quo. The more progressive option is to adapt to the new world of music. 

Many new artist have. Certain promoters on user-uploaded media platforms to get the word out and link the song to their bandpage (either on SoundCloud, Facebook or BeatPort). This can help them get recognized by record labels, but more importantly event organizers. As a active, social man in my 20s i often frequent small venues to see artists and occasionally spend (extra) money to go a large venue with a lot of artists. These concerts are large revenue streams for these artist for a long time to come (and isn't a one time purchase like a song). If people don't have to pay to listen to an artist's song, they can download (then listen to) this artist's songs. If they have a liking to them and share it to their fans, thus increasing their fan base within weeks (due to the exponential 'tree' increase of the internet). This not only will lead to more ad revenue, but more attention in other regards as well. Its all about how they adapt to the new landscape of music, rather than condemning the audiophiles that are just in search of musical exploration without the costs. It makes people more willing to explore and take a chance on an unknown artist, then settling for the safe overplayed artist. 

HOW DID PIRACY BEGIN? {Opinion}

In the antiquated years of known nostalgically as the 'Vinyl Music Era', music was cherished like gold and treated as such. Music was to be purchased at one place only: the record store. This is where the records' artwork were admired by potential purchasers. People assisted you in purchasing the record by making recommendations according to the music listeners (the consumer) preference. For this reason, purchasing (as well as making) music was more of an experience and less less often occurring. While there may have been people selling stolen records, or selling second-hand vinyls, nobody could reproduce the vinyls and receive satisfactory. The difference between then and now begins with the cassette.

The cassette brought on the idea of reproducing songs to share with friends. 'Mix-tapes" were used as a way to pick out the music to which you would like to listen to, or just copy a whole cassette to give to some to listen too. While this may have been good for the growth music, it also (slightly) effected the music industry's profits. The inception of music copying lead to piracy, but did not really have much effect until the dawn of the 'Internet Era'.