I think one of the main things the industry is fighting and having a hard time with is the loss of the album format. Previously an artist would release one or two great songs and people would flock and buy that entire album for $15-$20 - CD singles were never prevalent so people were effectively paying anywhere from $10-$20 per song that they liked. Now the same people who purchased those and were willing to spend the money - they buy the single on one of the various eSales sites for anywhere between $0.99 and $2. I don't think the recording industry has to look far to see that if they want the same income the artist has to release 10 or more good songs "per album" rather than 1 or 2. From what I see - the vast majority of people who download and never purchase are the same people who copied their friends CD's previously, or dubbed cassette tapes, or never would have made a purchase in the first place.

Chris, Kingston, Canada

If they weren't trying to keep the price of online downloads level with the price of CDs in the shops (factor in the distribution and retail costs and I guess the price isn't that unreasonable for a CD really). But why should online music which is so cheap to distribute be costing the same? Until they bring the price down people will carry on breaking the law - or switch to music rental as I have (its fab and legal). Or else artists will just start bypassing the music 'industry' completely - like Tasmin Little.

Richard, Reading,

This file sharing controversy is all a joke!
The reason CD sales are declining is that popular music is available EVERYWHERE for free! On a Dish, just about ANY music is available at mp3 quality, bundled along with the TV package. Now HD broadcasts are free. Any teen with some time won't waste $15 on a 40 minute CD that can be destroyed with a single scratch when he can collect hundreds of high def favorite tunes free on a durable $25 flash memory stick. If it is freely available, file sharing over his phone line isn't the problem.

jack keats, Denver, CO

Stealing music is stealing - regardless of your justification. If you don't like the music being released - blame piracy - it has crippled the music business. Thanks.

John Vanhorne, Los Angeles, CA

so these rich "artists" will have to sit in their mansions collecting only $1 million instead of $20 million.

poor babies

steve, LA, CA

CD sales falling? Of course, it's an ageing format after all. Digital sales annual increase slowing down? Thats just the digital market maturing to its peak. Illegaly downloading music is, of course, technically wrong - but I can guarantee that there are many music artsists that have benefited from illegal downloads providing exposure, as well as ensuring more longevity in their success. Yes, it's true that we shouldn't be downloading so much music illegally - but exaggerating the situation by saying the music industry is crashing borders on propoganda; something that will only push record companies further away from their market. For instance, Pandora.com, the free audio streaming website, was closed to the UK as of last week because of excessive payout demands from record companies. Ironically, that kind of resource is a great way to help boost sales and expose music to fans, so shouldn't companies be supporting projects such as this instead of complaining about a drop in CD sales?

Andrew, London,

Once a protection-free copy is out there, it simply replicates like a biological organism. Cutting off ISPs will slow its spread by maybe a few days. It simply moves from memory stick to memory stick, undetectably and unstoppably.

Malcolm McLean, Bradford, UK

Last year I illegally downloaded 2 full albums, one by Mike the other Lily Allen. A month later I went out and bought both albums, not through guilt but because I actually enjoyed them enough to buy them. I also bought a third album without downloading it first. League unlimited orchestra. I love it and already own it on vinyl.
This year (2008) the music scene is dead, the stuff being released is pathetically poor. 3 weeks into January and I can't even think whats been released this year that memorable, or worth wasting hard earned pennies on. Now I don't agree with piracy but it does have its uses, It saves me a trip to HMV in town to preview the album, I wouldn't buy from there as it's too expensive anyway, and once downloaded I can preview it often, and without leaving the comfort of my own home I can buy it from Play.com or Amazon.
I'm not saying everyone does as I do, but it would be good if people had a conscience and paid for what they get.

moo, Manchester, uk