Blogging Ottinger (tim)File Sharing Networks
I found an article about the recording industry. Of course, I found it via SlashDot. I think it has some interesting numbers about file sharing and the democratizing effect of file sharing — how it creates a more inclusive environment and only really harms the few heavily promoted bands at the top of the RIAA pyramid.
Interesting. Maybe Dave Winer is right when he says that the future is in those technologies where “users party with developers” — where developers and users are invited to participate and extend or improve the system. Here we have a system that allows more entry into the music industry.
I think that it’s necessary that the market be given an alternative to the RIAA-controlled artists, and the public is given an alternative to being controlled by RIAA. I would prefer to see this in the form of artists using alternative channels (including free file-sharing networks and sites like Epitonic and PureVolume) to reach their audience.
I look forward to more independent and even well-recognized artists embracing the P2P file sharing networks, file sharing sites, and independent promoters. I think that technology that connects artists and their public is a societal good, and a reasonable market adjustment.
I don’t encourage lawbreaking, but it would be wonderful if more artists find their public legitimately and legally without going through the RIAA bottleneck.
