Does the emergence of the digital download signal the end for the music industry?

Since music has been available via digital download, the music industry has seen a down turn in CD sales. Sites such as Napster, made it easier for people to discover music and trade it online, basically turning all users computers into a file server, sharing commercially produced copyrighted material. This was made even worse when tracks that had not even been released became available illegally. Due to this, many within the music industry think that digital downloading will signal the end.

However, this is a very sweeping statement because there are still millions of people who download music legally and pay for it. On top of this radio and tv companies still need to buy licenses to air music videos and songs. Radio charts are still popular but now also include downloaded music. This will be the way the music industry must go in the future: developing their offering to keep up with developing technologies. By increasing their online presence and security the music industry will not finish.