Words make you think a thought. Music makes you feel a feeling. A song makes you feel a thought.

Different technologies have affected every single aspect of modern life. The field of music alone has grown by been leaps and bounds with new inventions continually improving the way listeners obtain and enjoy music of all sorts. One pairing of technological advancements that has recently been causing controversy in the music industry is the collaboration of MP3 and the Internet. These tools, along with file sharing software created by websites such as Napster, have brought about changes in the whole music industry. Consumers are at odds with record label executives and the artists are caught somewhat in the middle. Music has gone through several upheavals in the past, including the creation of the radio, cassette tapes, and MTV, and is embarking on the beginning of a new overhaul. There are many different viewpoints held by the people involved and several proposed solutions. However, the future of the music industry today is at a cross roads and it’s direction is uncertain.

While several companies are in the process of finding a distribution solution that will satisfy all parties involved, no one answer is had at the present. Each label, artist, website creator, and fan is trying out new and innovative means of compromising. In the past technologies, such as movies in the cinema, DVD’s, and TV, have all built upon each other and expanded each industry rather than driving one out. Music has always been a part of people’s lives. Before sound was even recorded, melodies were ingrained in people. No matter what the future might hold, music is always going to be a part of our culture in a communal way.

Peer to peer utilities that employ this decentralized approach are virtually impossible to shut down. Since there is no central server maintaining the index of users, there is no easy way to target and stop the use of the program. Many of the content developers in music, video and other industries are beginning to realize that fundamental changes in the way royalties and licensing work are vital to keep up with the revolutionary world of the Internet. Another program that is less wide spread but still useful, that many college students are taking advantage of is Direct Connect. This allows the free sharing of all files of the people that are connected to the program. This is much more limited, since it only connects the people from one University rather than the whole world, but still runs off the same principles as the rest of the peer to peer programs. It is a cheap, fast, and easy way for college students to share pirated movies, television shows, music, and pictures with each other.

There are multiple proposed solutions to this ever growing and changing problem of musical rights. One such solution is websites that offer music for a small fee. This way musical licenses are still upheld and the industry gets some control over how transactions are handled. Another possible answer is that labels can release songs on their own sites as a promotional tool in order to gain exposure for new bands. This can draw in new audiences and test the popularity of songs and albums. One more fix would be for bands with similar musical values to form labels together and decide how to handle Internet exposure. This way fans can deal with the same genre of music in a predictable and easily understood way.

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