Despite the fall of downloading giant Napster in 2001, there were still ways for those determined enough to find free music on the Internet. But now, with Microsoft's announcement of new software dedicated to helping the record industry ward off sagging profits, the days of free music may finally be over.
The technology giant revealed initiatives at MIDEM, the record industry's biggest international conference, to stop piracy by releasing software that would read music and video disks in secure layers, stopping users from making copies. Record companies hope the new measures will help stabilize the industry's two-year slump in sales.
Regardless of these new measures, music piracy may continue at the fault of the recording companies that are trying to stop it.
Jen Robb, a freshman English major and music minor, said she burns more CDs than she used to, explaining that the convenience as well as the price makes it a worthwhile vice.
"It's really a toss-up between spending the money or spending the time. ... It's economical. It's all just a matter of money."
Shubha Ghosh, UB professor of law, specializing in copyright issues, blames the industry's recent profit loss on the companies.
"The biggest mistake the record companies made in some ways was allowing the CD to even happen," said Ghosh. "It benefited them because it allowed them to resell old music ... but the very thing that helped them in the '80s is now undoing them."
Ghosh speculated that the music industry wants to supply an intangible product that would allow consumers to listen to whatever music they choose for a set price, but not to own a physical copy to burn onto other CDs or load onto a computer.
"Sort of a Web site as jukebox," he said.
According to Ghosh, an individual could conceivably be charged as much at $25,000 per song for infringement of copyright law, but prosecuting those with MP3-packed hard drives and burned CDs was unrealistic.
Goush said taking piracy out of the hands of the consumer by creating technology that restricts copying seems to be the only real solution. "And that is what Microsoft is doing," he said.
Even legally purchased CDs are subject to the twists and turns of copyright law. A main sticking point for consumers is whether they can make copies because they physically own the CD.
"The big question is, 'Whose property is it?' Technically someone owns the copyright, but you also own a copy of it. To what extent can the copyright owner control the product in the hands of a consumer?" said Ghosh.
"It would be like asking what can a book publisher allow you to do with a book you purchased. Are you allowed to quote from it or highlight it?" he continued.
Tom Bren, a senior management information systems major, said that if he were to purchase a CD, he should retain the right to make copies.
"I don't think they should put limits on what you can do with the stuff you buy. It's scary to think that they can," he said. "What if I want to make copies to back up items for my entertainment center? I have a right to rip it."
Bren said he was unconvinced that the new measures to stop music piracy will be as effective as the record industry hopes.
"There's always new ways around," he said.
Photo: Courtesy of Laron Fomby
