Issues

in Napster's Defense:

letter sent to various music companies

8/10/00 I am writing to you on behalf of Napster, who has been in the news quite often recently for "enabling theft of copyrighted music." I support Napster and the service they are providing. Let me begin by telling you that I own (from legitimate purchases from companies such as yours) approximately 1000 cassettes, 700 vinyl records, and 900 compact discs. I have been a music lover for years, and my wife and son are also. I have searched far and wide for hard-to-find favorites, and have even had a relative purchase a CD overseas for me because it was not available here. I do not advocate outright theft of copyrighted music via the internet, or any other means, as I believe that the artists deserve compensation for their work. I do believe that consumers have a right to sample a product before purchasing, just as I can view a roast or drive a car or squeeze a loaf of bread before buying. The music industry has not provided this 'sampling' before making a purchase, except for the totally controlled, commercial, repetitive junk that is played on most radio today. The people that download hundreds of songs from Napster because they are free will never spend their dollars on music anyway. Anyone that appreciates music enough to purchase music will continue to do so. The mp3 files that are available via the internet are not top quality audio and therefore are substandard to the audio quality that can be purchased from companies such as yours. A serious music collector will always purchase commercially sold music as long as it is available and packaged in a desirable way. The files available on the internet do not come with the CD itself, jackets or sleeves, or cases. A major investment must be made to transfer these files to a medium for enjoyment other than on one's computer, which is normally not a good medium for quality sound. $16-$17 dollars is (admit it) a little much for an album that I might not like when I finally get to hear it. I've got a fair amount of bombs in my collection! How about making music more reasonably priced? Why is it that a full version of a song is so difficult to find even on commercial albums? The CD "Best of the Chambers Brothers" has their hit "Time Has Come Today" on it, but it is only around five minutes long. The 12 minute version can only be acquired via Napster. What is wrong with this picture? Available music samples should increase sales to your company. You are getting free marketing of your product. I can feel more confident purchasing a CD knowing that the songs that I wouldn't have had a chance to hear otherwise are worth the money. I'd never get that information listening to the radio! I can go into any record store within a 20 mile radius of my home and will find the same junk in them. I have a gift certificate to a music store that is almost 2 years old because the music that I want is not available there. I must search the internet outlets to find what I want. This is due to the total commercialism of the music industry which you are a part of. If you desire to see profits increase, try to market the art, not the hype. With computer technology available today, nothing should be "out of print." I can record anything I want for my use from the radio or the TV. I am allowed. It is legal. If I wanted to rip the music industry off, I'd let my tape recorder run all day, recording the radio, and edit the songs for my use. Why don't I do that? I'd rather have a packaged product (if I could be assured that the product is really what I wanted). Napster should be looked upon as a marketing tool, and one that doesn't cost you anything! The wise music company that embraces this new technology will become the leader. The music company has no choice. If Napster is shut down, it will not prevent the flow of music across the internet. There are so many other methods and choices that it is necessary for at least one of you to rethink your strategy and emerge as a partner in this new technology. Do yourself, your company, the artists and the consumers a favor. Look to the future for today's answers. The future will come, and you can't change that. But you can be ready for it when it gets here. Finally, the public has embraced Napster as part of their world. The music industry is seen as a money-hungry organization. Frank Zappa has written and spoken many words on this topic, and there are endless stories on cable TV stations of bands who were taken advantage of by the music industry. It may be wise to consider your perceived reputation and attempt to be the "provider" of good music instead to those who desire it without taking strongarm measures to maintain your position and power. It boils down to "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em." Music companies that do will still be in the music business 20 years from now. Music companies that don't will find themselves in a world where their profits shrink from public spite and disgust. I'd rather have you around!