FREE ESSAY ON NAPSTER

NAPSTER

In order to find out why problem arouse in music industry around the Napster, we need to
find out what is Napster? Napster is a database program that located on a computer server
in San Mateo, CA. Napster community have more than 38 million users. Each of these 38
million users include in their computers variety of songs in MP3 format. The songs range
from every musical type from classical to rap. Consumers use compact discs to make their
own MP3 files, and then add them to their shared music profile in their Napster software.
Again, Napster does not hold the copyrighted material on their servers; it is stored on
the computer of users. The people are controlling what music they share among each other.
Napster has a disclaimer on its transfer page warning people not to break copyright laws.
Napster also has the right to prevent anyone from using their database service if they
are found to have broken the copyright laws. 
I believe that people should be able to download music off Napster because it's just like
the VCR, radio, and tape, it is a good way to promote music and a way for new artists to
be heard. According to David Grohl (napster.com) it's the same as turning on the radio.
You listen to different songs, except you choose which ones you want to listen to. If
they shut down Napster, will they shut down the radio? You're doing the same thing on
Napster that you would do at the concert. It's just more suitable to do it in your own
home. Why would artists want to ban Napster when it promotes their music? Napster could
help people hear your new songs and if they like them you'll make money and become
famous. In addition, according to Madonna Napster could be a great way for people to hear
your music who wouldn't have the chance to hear it on the radio. Chuck D, (napster.com)
says, We should think of Napster as a kind of radio-a promotional tool that can help
artists who don't have their music played on mainstream radio or on MTV. A bigger problem
is that the people misuse Napster by putting music onto cd's. This problem is not a new
one. People have been copying music on audio as well as videotapes for a long time.
Napster is just another source to obtain music. In this case we must abandon firms who
produces violent games and songs, knives, etc... in order to eliminate crime rate. Of
course our society can't handle that because these things appear in everyday of our
lives. According to Courtney Love stealing our copyright provisions in the dead of night
when no-one is looking is piracy. It's not piracy when kids swap music over the Internet
using Napster. There were more than one billion downloads last year but music sales have
been up, so how is Napster hurting the music industry?
Also Napster is a revolutionary way of getting music. This revolution sooner or later
will result in a new way of purchasing music. Would it not be easier to download the
music directly from the music company? It would be much easier and convenient going to a
favorite bands website and downloading sample MP3 files from every song on the CD. Then
the buyer could make an intelligent buying decision. If the CD was impressive enough
throughout, a person could then be directed to a download website and purchase the entire
collection. The price should be much lower. Reasons for this price reduction are no
reproduction mark up and no shipping cost to the stores. The buyer would then download
the music, make the CD and print artwork. No more will the public be deceived into buying
a CD to find out there is only one good track on it. Another bonus to this way of buying
music is making a greatest hit CD. For those artists that may only have one or two good
songs on their CD, this would be another way to get sales. A person could download
anything he wants and put those songs onto a CD. 
Music consumers do not want to see the artists hurt, neither financially nor emotionally
from this service. Even though I love Napster being free server, but compromise must
conclude this problem in order for Napster to survive. BMG (Bertelsmann Music Group) will
shut down Napster if they continue free server. Basically small fees will not
dramatically affect users income, but will rescue Napster and make music industry to be
satisfied. 
Bibliography
SOURCES
http://www.salon.com/ent/log/2000/04/24/bizkit_napster 
http://www.ZDNet.com/tlkbck/comment/22/0,7056,70785-220993,00.html 
http://rollingstone.com/sections/news/text/newsarticle.asp?afl=&NewsID=10694&LookUpString=153

http://www.riaa.com/Napster.cfm 
YAHOO! INTERNET LIFE February 2001