What Is The Value of Digital Music?

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) says that global sales in 2008 decreased 8.3 percent to $18.4 billion in 2008. That number takes in account all forms of revenue: physical sales, digital sales and performance rights. The recording industry blames piracy, and most likely there is some truth to that assumption. However, I think it’s also necessary to judge the value of digital content, and decide how much music fans are willing to pay for music that can be copied instantaneously at zero cost, and erased just as quickly. Continue reading...