Digital Technology--civilization's prodigy or capitalism's curse. The 1980's spawned the personal computer and desktop publishing. The 1990's delivered us the Internet and digital video and now the 21st century brings us downloadable books and the MP3 player. For those "newbies" or "technophobes" out there, an MP3 player is a portable music device much like a "Walkman" or portable cassette recorder, but it promises much more. Not only can users potentially store their entire cd collection, but also can download their favorite music files from the Internet and play them at their every whim.

"Downloadable music" is a term that refers to the ability to download music from the Internet either for free or at a cost. The technology is still in its infancy and many believe that it will play a large role in the future of music distribution. A couple of sites to download music are mp3.com and audiogalaxy.com.

What does the advent of the MP3 player mean to the artist, the consumer, and the recording industry in general? For all those garage bands waiting for their big break, it's a means to get their music out there and in the hands of their future audience. For sound artists creating experimental music, it's an ability to bring their work to a potentially larger audience. With Internet access and an MP3 player, "average Joe" can potentially download hard to find music and learn about new bands and underknown composers by reading, listening, and seeing them via the World Wide Web.

At first glance, it appears to be a win-win situation for both the composer and the consumer. However, there are some people who feel that downloadable music needs to be restricted. One major opponent to readily available music via the Internet is the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). With the RIAA, the controversy begins with the idea of "online piracy" which is sometimes masked as "music file sharing." Online piracy occurs when copyrighted music is downloaded and proper permission has not been granted. Every "illegally" downloaded song means a potential loss in revenue for a record label and its creator.

If you recently purchased an MP3 player there is no need to worry. The Recording Industry Association of America does not have a problem with the technology; they have a problem with how it's being used. They say if you choose to take your own CDs and make copies for yourself on your computer or portable music player, that's great. The RIAA believes that it's your music and they want you to enjoy it at home, at work, in the car or on the jogging trail. The problem occurs when a person uploads a copyrighted song with improper permission to his or her Website and shares it with anyone who visits.

Joel Chadabe, president of the Electronic Music Foundation believes "The idea is not to give away music. I don't think that's good. I don't think it's healthy. Records are too expensive to buy in stores for customers to take risks. People look for music they know and enjoy. That is why composers should give away certain files and charge for others because many composers depend a great deal on record stores sales to make their living."

According to a survey of Internet-connected music lovers aged 12 to 54 posted on RIAA's Website, it was "found that by a more than two-to-one margin, consumers who say they are downloading more also say they are purchasing less." Cary Sherman, president of the RIAA, states, "Cumulatively, this data should dispel any notion that illegal file sharing helps the music industry."

Downloadable music plays a large role in the Internet savvy consumer's life. According to the same RIAA survey, "35 percent of young Internet-connected music buyers say the first thing they will do after hearing a song they like by an unfamiliar artist is download the song for free from a file sharing service."

In the end, the underknown composer may like the idea of sharing music files, but the RIAA reminds us that this is not about music but about money--a 40 billion dollar a year industry.

Writer Seth Thompson can be reached at seththompson@wigged.net.

Updated September 2006