All the sites for free downloadable music have really showed the industry that it has to keep up with the times or face financial ruination. Nowadays, however, they realize that if they want to keep the youth market, they have to make their songs available on music download sites. However this is also an avenue for piracy and bootlegs. free downloadable music sites are getting easier and easier to use, including more and more music, and costing less and less to subscribe to nowadays. It is amazing how much the available technology changes the culture around it. I don’t think that anyone knows where it will go from here, but its effects on phenomena like free downloadable music sites and news reporting has already been substantial.
Examples of free downloadable music sites
Kazaa is a music download site listeners subscribe to Kazaa and will enjoy their favorite tracks as long as their subscription remains valid. Upon expiry, listeners can renew their subscriptions and continue downloading their songs. This feature is also used by Napster. But, in addition, users can pay $0.99 for their song never to expire or an additional 5 dollars per month to play the downloaded song on a portable device.
Wal-Mart is one step ahead in preventing casual copying. free downloadable music cannot be played through a player’s microSD slot. Lets say, you have a mobile phone with external memory and you receive the copyrighted tracks from Wal-mart using Bluetooth from another device. They just won’t play!!!
What does DRM mean for free downloadable music sites?
DRM stands for Digital Rights Management. Wikipedia describes DRM as “any type of technology that aims to stop, or at least ease the practice of piracy.” Let’s look at how various free downloadable music sites are fighting piracy. As a matter of fact, historically anytime they find any of their artists on a music download site, they will try to get it shut down.
Will DRM wipe out free downloadable music?
Admitedly, DRM cannot eradicate piracy completely. It only tries to ensure that music producers have a fair income of their hard work. People want to go to free downloadable music sites and share music files, and one way or another they will be able to do this. However, you too have a role in fighting piracy. If you appreciate the long hours and effort that your favorite musician puts in composing his work of art, then always buy music with copyright from the free downloadable music sites.