The funny thing however is that you can still download and trade files online via Gnutella, FrostWire, BearShare, BitComet, uTorrent, BitTorrent, Morpheus, Vuze, iMesh, SoMud, Ares Galaxy and so forth... a quick search on download.cnet.com reveals 291 programs you can choose from to share files over the internet.The mindboggling thing is how the music/film industry hasn't clued in yet... Napster was shut down in July 2001, but all it did was open up a galaxy of copycats. Over 9 years later and its pretty obvious that file sharing is here to stay.
And worse, file sharing is now a NECESSITY for business purposes. Its one of the fastest/easiest ways to showcase a product to an audience. YouTube is another way to do it, but YouTube has severe limitations: #1. the file can only be video; #2. The file is limited to 10 minutes or 50 MB in size; #3. You can't download and save the file in its original format.
Whereas file sharing allows businesses to transmit files in their original format, allows people to save them, and they can be any size or length.
In the case of LimeWire it was shut down by a RIAA lawsuit. RIAA (the Recording Industry Association of America) has basically spoiled a free service for everyone else...But no matter! There is still another 290 programs out there to choose from, and every time one gets shut down there is another 10 ready to take its place.
The RIAA may consider the shut down of LimeWire to be a victory for the recording industry, specifically recording executives who have seen their profits slashed since many musicians these days have realized the real money is online and are BYPASSING the RIAA entirely.
Thats right. Its not just the issue of profits here. Its the fact musicians no longer NEED the RIAA and similar organizations to promote their music any more. Anybody with server space and a domain name can start up their own music website, sell their music online (either as mp3s or CDs), promote their music videos on YouTube, Facebook, MySpace, etc... and file sharing of course will be a big part of it. To say nothing of selling T-shirts, posters, concert tickets, etc.
Musicians don't need the Recording Industry Association of America (or any other organization that rips them off and steals all their profits). Its more profitable these days to be a solo musician, sell your own music/memorabilia online, and keep all the profits to yourself. You don't even need a manager. What you need is an internet guru to SEO your website for your target audience, manage your online persona, and promote your music.
The RIAA is obsolete and they know it.In the meantime go ahead and download FrostWire. It is a better program anyway.
See Also
The Cultural Netolution
The Work of Art in the Age of Digital Reproduction
Cyberspacology
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