Understanding the history is key to understanding where online music is going. Let’s take a look at the history of music downloads. This was my experience with Napster’s early days. Everyone was out on the streets, downloading whatever music they wanted without any consequences. The RIAA arrived and told everyone that this was our copyrighted content Tubidy. The RIAA has been trying to eradicate copyright infringement since then.
Following the initial days of Napster, peer to peer file sharing and Napster, a new wave of sites began offering legal music downloading. Napster even signed agreements with major labels for unlimited access. The record industry had to devise a way to protect its investment in order to make it a reality.
Digital rights management (DRM), was introduced. Digital rights management (DRM) has been used to restrict media access. As long as you have Rhapsody, you can download and listen any number of songs that you wish. You can also play them on your mp3 players (except iPod and Zune). DRM works by restricting your access to certain devices and cutting off access entirely when you cancel the subscription.
Additionally, some companies have their own DRM. You are restricted in your choices if you have an iPod or Zune. Apple and Microsoft will try to get you to use Zune Marketplace and iTunes.
The last few years have seen a lot of changes. Wal-Mart, Amazon, and Wal-Mart have signed deals to provide DRM-free song downloading services. You pay a fee to download MP3 songs, but you receive the music without DRM restrictions. iTunes now offers DRM-free downloading.
The ISP’s struggle to reduce network traffic and congestion during peak periods is another challenge for online media companies. It is a major problem that there is no infrastructure for network traffic, especially in the US. Comcast and Time Warner are currently testing the possibility of throttling traffic or charging customers to use metered access. We live no longer in an era of static web pages and text emails. Sites now offer rich content such as streaming audio and video, social interaction and an interactive environment for people to come together just like they would at the local watering hole. ISP’s are expected to listen to customers and build their network infrastructures to accommodate our ever increasing bandwidth needs.
This leaves us wondering where we are going. Prior to my rants I seem to have mentioned excitement about the future online music downloads. Online music websites are looking to the future. The ability to download songs to your computer, mobile phone, or other web-enabled devices will allow you to access the latest songs anytime and anywhere. DRM-free music is the future according to Wal-Mart Music, Amazon MP3 and eMusic. Next is to create a way for sites such as Rhapsody, Napster, to allow unlimited access DRM-free music with a monthly subscription. Although this is not an easy task, it could prove to be very profitable for the music industry as we move into the digital age.
Netflix and other companies offer unlimited movie downloads to their subscribers. You don’t have to watch movies on your PC. A set top box allows you to download movies and watch them directly on your TV. Industry experts predict that you won’t have to rush to your local video store to rent new DVD movies in the next few years. Instead, you can download the movies anytime and watch them on demand. Ok, so some of you might be saying yes but how long does it take to download the movies? Netflix is fast. I can watch the movie within 30 seconds. The movie continues downloading while I am enjoying it.