Hi all (This is from another forum, but I think it is very relevant to
the MD list, and you may have some good feedback on this.)
I posted a message a few weeks ago (on the usenet, mostly mp3 forums)
about this issue (attached at the bottom
of this message for reference). I suggested that a few sites (mp3.com,
for
example) create a series of web pages that collect contributions (via
credit
card, etc.) and then forward the money in bulk sums to the respective
bands.
We would each donate whatever amount we want for the music we
downloaded and
liked.
The replies I got mostly fell into two categories:
1) Forget it. Even *this* is old school. If bands want money, they'll
get it
by touring; mp3's will serve as a form of advertising/publicity to
bring
fans to the shows.
2) The idea is too complicated and too optimistic. Nobody would pay.
Taking the second criticism first, I have seen in the last two weeks at
least two references to people downloading mp3's, liking the music, and
then
buying the CD *to support the band.*
Can anyone tell me how much money goes to the band (minus charges) and
how
much goes elsewhere? I think, though, that the amount making its way
back to
the band is less than a dollar or so of the US$15 price of the CD.
If this is true, buying a CD is no way to support the band; buying a CD
actually supports the music industry, the self-protective, largely
useless
music industry, I mean.
In any event, there are substantial numbers of people who do feel the
responsibility of paying for the enjoyment of their music. Drawing on
this
base, the donation system is possible. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF 90% OF THE
AUDIENCE NEVER PAYS. 10% of millions of listeners still adds up to a
big
pool of money. And this 10% figure (or whatever it is) is really a
plastic/flexible number that can be changed by peer pressure/moral
suasion.
And just think about Stephen King. 75% of the people downloading his
book
are making the $1.00 donation. Maybe there really is a huge market for
this
if downloadable mp3's market base can be expanded to include
rank-and-file
music listeners.
Regarding the 1st criticism, that bands will just have to tour for
money,
this is a cop-out for two reasons:
1) Some bands will not tour, yet we want to hear their music.
2) Other multimedia may not have the touring option at all. How about
authors? Written media is easily converted from encrypted forms to open
forms and then distributed on the net. Would anyone seriously say that
they
should "tour"?
I think if we don't come up with something, we are going to start
losing
artists and their creative input into society. This *will* happen
unless we
come up with an alternative. Digitally-protected SMDI, etc aren't going
to
work. Somebody will just make a high quality analog recording of them
and
distribute those as an mp3 if need be. This response of the music
industry
doesn't really change anything.
Greg Conquest
PS Still waiting to hear of any *viable* alternatives.
--------------------------------
Hi all,
This is an idea that seems very simple, but I haven't seen it mentioned
anywhere in al the debate on mp3 file sharing. I suggest that WE set up
a
system whereby listeners give donations to bands after downloading and
enjoying songs. You give whatever level you want. Keep in mind that:
- many of us don't like a whole CD's worth of music from each album
- bands need to be paid somehow
- renting a CD costs $2-3 US.
Here's how I envision this working:
- You download your music from Napster, Gnutella, USENET groups, etc.
just
like now.
- You listen for a while, then
- you logon to mp3.com or one of several central collection sites
(accredited by some accounting group) that take your donations, and
charge
your credit card on a monthly basis sending nearly all of your money
directly to the bands you selected (or you give through the band's web
site -- if you can reliably find the right site).
- The bands send you a thank you note (digitally-encrypted),
merchandise
coupons, concert discounts, party invitations, or other value-added
items/services.
While I can't say how this will affect the overall revenue of the music
industry, I can say this:
- GNUTELLA and USENET distribution of mp3's seems unstoppable
- The music will DIE if bands don't get paid
- I would love to enter a world in which I still pay $15-30 US dollars
per
month, but instead of getting one or two CD's, I get ten times that
amount
- I become more experimental in my listening habits
- I contribute to a peer culture that "self-pressures" its members into
contributing ("You like it, man. You should pay them something. Don't
sponge. It's up to all of us to make the music live.")
- THERE IS NO ALTERNATIVE. DON'T THINK A MINIMUM LELVEL OF COMPENSATION
CAN
BE MAINTAINED ANYMORE. THAT PARADIGM IS DEAD AND GONE.
- This model can be used for other digital rights compensation:
artwork,
video, e-text, etc.
What do you think?
Greg Conquest
Japan
Posted on the USENET to: japan.comp.mp3, alt.gnutella,
alt.music.mp3.napster, alt.music.mp3
E-mailed to: various parties
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