This document discusses the debate around whether music piracy kills the music industry or democratizes popular culture. It explores different perspectives on this issue, including views from the RIAA, record labels, and artists. While illegal downloading may hurt record label profits, it also allows lesser known artists to gain recognition. Overall, the document examines the complex impacts of music piracy and how views on its effects vary depending on one's position in the music industry.

1. Despite seeming evidence to the
contrary the major players on the global
music industry continue to claim that
piracy is ‘killing’ new music, to what
extent is illegal copying either, a
criminal act or a democratising of
popular culture?
By Jade Mori, Laura Whitehead, Bethan Clift
and Hannah Sutton

2. Can you clarify to me what music
piracy actually is, people don’t always
know the ins and outs of the matter.
Music piracy is a form of copyright infringement
which means the owners’ rights are violated.
“Copyright law protects the value of creative work. When you make unauthorized
copies of someone’s creative work, you are taking something of value from the
owner without his or her permission.” - RIAA

3. Who would know if I copied a CD and gave it
to my friend, or downloaded something off
the internet which I hadn’t paid for?
Even though companies such as the RIAA represent record labels
and try to monitor illegal downloads, the increasing volume makes
it extremely difficult to control.
“The history of music piracy also parallels the history of music
recording and distribution. While it is very difficult to reproduce
vinyl albums on a massive scale, the transition to cassette tapes
and later to CDs [,and now downloads] made music
reproduction, and therefore piracy, much easier.” (Pang, L 2006)

4. What’s the RIAA?
The RIAA is the Recording Industry Association of
America who aim to support and promote major
record labels which contribute to 85% of all
legitimate recorded music.
“While downloading one song may not feel that serious of
a crime, the accumulative impact of millions of songs
downloaded illegally – and without any compensation to all
the people who helped to create that song and bring it to
fans – is devastating.” - RIAA

5. I didn’t realise that the downloading of one
song could affect so many people. That must
have quite big consequences with so much
illegal downloading occurring?
Did you hear about the Metallica case in 2000? The band found over
300,000 illegal downloaders names and took them to the RIAA
which took action and temporally closed Napster down.

6. I asked you earlier how illegal downloads are
‘killing’ the music industry but what about the
effects it has had on unknown artists? Surely
there are some benefits?
Illegal downloads are a good thing in popular culture as it
provides smaller, lesser known artists with the chance to become
more recognised and listened to.
“A creative person would prefer their music to be stolen
and enjoyed than ignored.”- Pete Townshend, The Who
Singer/song-writer, Ed Sheeran gained his first, top
ten single in 2011, by reaching number two whilst still
unsigned.

7. Conclusion
So, everyone knows that music piracy and downloading free
music is illegal and a criminal act but it is easier to get away with
it, therefore the seriousness of the crime can be forgotten. It is
perhaps seen to be killing the industry as record labels are losing
out on the profits they once had, but in the short term newer
artist are becoming more well-known and may be gaining in
other ways.
“Downloading is a facet of a much larger and irrefutable fact: the internet is
here to stay and it is in the process of revolutionizing many aspects of human
society.” – Frank Turner, Musician

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