The prevalence of illegal music downloads has become normalized in the digital era, leading to a debate about their impact on the music industry. Some believe that this practice has almost no impact on artists, while others are aware of the negative effects on the music industry. From my perspective, I am firmly convinced by the latter stance.
Initially, there are arguments that illegal downloads have negligible influences on the music industry. Sharing musical licenses in the dark market allows impoverished individuals to access their favourite songs for non-commercial purposes. Many music lovers cannot afford expensive CDs, so stricter regulations have been implemented to curb illegal actions. Despite these efforts, fans still find ways to rip songs to satisfy their demands. For example, instead of recording live-stream opera concerts, the crowd records soundtracks from online platforms or vinyl records. Although these low-quality versions cannot serve commercial purposes, they enable the poor to access their favourite songs. Additionally, rhythm lovers and the wealthy continue to seek high-end music versions and participate in offline concerts for superior audio quality. The UK music industry, for instance, reported a 5% revenue decline since low-quality albums appeared on the dark web, indicating that some consumers still prioritize high-quality music experiences.
Nevertheless, the potential adverse effects of illegal downloads significantly impact artists’ livelihoods. Downloading copyrighted music without the author’s permission is illegal and robs artists of the royalties they deserve. Stream-ripping sites not only deprive artists of earnings but also profit from advertising. Consequently, these creative individuals may lose motivation to produce new work and struggle to cover their living expenses due to reduced income from their art.
To conclude, despite some reasons for illegal music downloading, such as financial difficulties or non-commercial intentions, I am convinced that artists’ living standards are negatively affected by illegal copyright infringement. The music industry should find suitable remedies to deter this illegal activity and protect the livelihoods of artists.