There's been a lot written about the future of file-sharing being found in Apple's iTunes model. However, as this [url=http://www.downhillbattle.org...]site illustrates[/url] , there's a lot more to iTunes than meets the eye, and most of it is not pretty.
[i][b]iTunes Music Store. Facelift for a Corrupt Industry[/b]
People are paying for songs on the iTunes Music Store because they think it's a good way to support musicians. But iTunes misses a huge opportunity. Instead of creating a system that gets virtually all of fans' money directly to artists-- finally possible with the internet-- iTunes takes a big step backwards. Apple calls iTunes "revolutionary" but record companies are using the service to force the same exploitive and unfair business model onto a new medium.
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[b]If you build a shiny new house on a landfill it still stinks [/b] Apple says iTunes is "better than free" because it's "fair to the artists and record labels." That's simply not true. First of all, Apple gets 3 times as much money as musicians from each sale. Apple takes a 35% cut from every song and every album sold, a huge amount considering how little they have to do. Record labels receive the other 65% of each sale. Of this, major label artists will end up with only 8 to 14 cents per song, depending on their contract. Many of them will never Artists Get Ripped Off. even see this paltry share because they have to pay for producers and recording costs, both of which can be enormous. Until the musician "recoups" these costs, when you buy an iTunes song, the label gives them nothing. (Sources:[url=http://www.futureofmusic.org/...] major label musician's cut[/url] [url=http://www.delvianrecords.com...]Apple's cut[/url] For a thorough explanation of how recouping screws musicians, see [url=http://www.amazon.com/exec/ob...]Confessions of a Record Producer by Moses Avalon[/url] ).
[b]Nothing changed. [/b] So why does iTunes give artists such a raw deal? Because it's the exact same deal that artists have always gotten from the big five record companies. Despite huge new efficiencies created by internet distribution --no CDs to make, no distributors to store and ship them, no CD stores to build and run-- artists receive the same pathetic cut. That is the disaster of iTunes. Instead of using this new medium to empower musicians and their fans, it helps the record industry cartel perpetuate the exploitation. Apple might say it's not their fault: after all, they didn't write the unfair record contracts. But when Apple supports and profits from an obviously unfair system, while telling customers that it's "fair to the artists", they are just as guilty. For years, Apple Computer has built a reputation for straightforward business. [/i]
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There's a lot more here... but I'll just leave it at that. However, I would strongly recommend you check out [url=http://www.downhillbattle.org...]the entire thing. [/url]
And then stop using iTunes.
posted by: RedTigress (reply)
post date: 06.29.04 (12:29 pm)
Yeesh.
Yea, I use the itunes music app, but have never shopped at the itunes store. To me, the best way to get music is to go to the record store. That way, not only do you get some great songs, you get the album itself. It will be valuable someday when they no longer come out with physical albums. just wait and see.
posted by: brogonzo (reply)
post date: 06.29.04 (1:30 pm)
To hell with this iPod business. I'm going back to screwing the music industry the old-fashioned way: with KaZaA.
posted by: aWindow (reply)
post date: 07.01.04 (7:08 am)
i enjoy the variety of iTunes radio however, i tend to agree with RT, i wouldnt want to buy from them, i still enjoy the CD Sleeves and the lyrics and whatever else they put there.. and i feel christened everytime i visit a record store in search of a new sound.
