The technological explosion of the last few decades has taken mankind to heights it never dreamed possible. One of the most controversial topics of the internet debate is that of ownership. When one puts an idea out on the net who owns it? This question has created tension and turmoil in many fields including literature, litigation and music. Music has long since been at the forefront of controversy when it comes to the Internet and its abilities because of the ease with which it allows in music piracy. Front-page news accounts detail the rise and fall of companies such as Napster and others that made a huge profit on the willingness of consumers to commit music piracy. Music piracy on the Internet has become a multi-million dollar venture and the artists, their agents and the attorneys they hire are constantly working to shut down its existence.
Those who produce intellectual property and those who benefit from it are currently debating the implications it may have on the future of online music. There are basically two sides to the issue. On the one hand, there are those corporate monsters that scream copyright infringement and push with litigation. The recording industry, for the most part, suggests that it is wrong to copy w
The consumer-sponsored mp3.com is a good example of an organization solely responsible for acquiring consumer appreciation. Mp3.com has fought a few court battles in the past and has come to terms with the relentless pursuits of the recording industry. They have tried to rationalize with the industry groups only to be cast into the spotlight. More recently, the mp3.com organization has agreed to offer digital music services to up-and-coming labels and artists for generous revenues and profit sharing alternatives. They themselves have begun to decrease the possibilities of copyright infringement on both their own site and those of their affiliates. They are responding to the witch-hunts by the RIAA by developing anti-piracy technologies and secure downloading. They are also seeking partnerships with other industry groups to successfully realize these anti-piracy initiatives.
Organizations foremost among the primary industry groups battling MP3 sites is the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). These are the people responsible for encouraging mostly high school and college students that MP3 piracy is illegal and morally wrong. They barricade the web sites that distribute copyrighted music and push for legislation banning the use of MP3 devices and distribution programs.
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