Survey Results
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Introduction.
Use of the internet by music professionals.
Legal issues affecting the online music industry
Purchasing behavior for used equipment.
Suggested further reading.
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Are Traditional Offline Licensing Arrangements Suitable for the Net - 5A
Support the Closing of the ILS by the Harry Fox Agency - 5B
When questioned on licensing issues and the Internet, the most interesting was the contrasts in the
answers illustrated by Graphs A & B. While 41.2% of respondents said they were uncertain as to
whether traditional offline licensing arrangements are well suited for the new digital media [ 5A], 70.5%
condemned the closing of the International Lyrics Server by the Harry Fox Agency [5B]. One constant was
the general low approval for traditional arrangements and the closing, 14.3% and 5.4% respectively.
The results imply that the industry will have to adjust its tactics towards the way it views the
distribution, licensing and copyrighting of musical properties over the Internet. The high level of
uncertain respondents also is an indication of the need for more education and certainty among
musicians and professionals.
Copyright Music Before Distribution
CD/Demo - 6A ** Online - 6B
Regarding the extent to which music is copyrighted before distribution, only 54.1% of respondents
reported having copyrighted their music prior to distribution via CD or demo [6A]. Conversely, a higher
than expected proportion copyright before distributing online (45.9%) [6B], although there is the obvious
high correlation due to the fact that copyrights are valid in both mediums.
Payment of Licensing Fees - 7A
Organizations Receiving Licensing Fees - 7B
Perhaps reinforcing the RIAA's and major labels' concerns, only 18% of reporting paying licensing
fees [7A]. This may be explained though by the fact that most respondents are likely to be distributing their
own music for which the pay no fees. More troublesome or reassuring, depending on one's
perspective, is the high proportion of respondents planning on paying licensing fees (25.7%). This
would indicate at the same time potentially significant losses for some artists and labels as well as a
willingness to eventually shifting behavior.
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