CDs Vs Digital Downloads - a Comparison

Record companies have reported over the past couple of years that CD sales are down. The companies are quick to blame the loss of sales on the illegal downloading of music. With the increasing prices of CDs downloading music via any one of the numerous digital music services is becoming more popular. Usage of these services have increased as CD sales have gone down.

Ever since recording devices were created there has been people copying music for themselves and others. The digital age and computers has only made it easier for such activities to be monitored.

While music buying is done by every age group, the younger generation comprises a large percentage of the music buying public. This same group is also the same group who is more computer literate and has the spare cash to spend on music. As the price of CDs has gone up, the music buying public can afford fewer CDs. Music downloading services offers more for the money and the fans can pick the songs they want. Who wants to buy a CD for that ONE song when you can go online and buy that one song?

The latest addition to the downloading services is the music kiosk. Being billed as "music in a box" a merchant can set up a sort of vending machine anywhere there is people traffic and music fans can bun a customized CD. While the jury is still out on the popularity and use of these new kiosks; it is clear that digital downloading and custom CDs is the future for the music industry.

On another note; Australia is loosening its bonds on copyrighted material by letting fans copy television programs and music for private use.