Tapscott responds

Dear Ms. Edwards,

Thank you for your thoughtful letter. As I noted in the original column, the priority of copyright laws should be to nurture music and help as many artists as possible earn a living. You argue that increasing record company revenues using the existing structure of the music industry is the only way this can be done. I think it can be achieved through new copyright laws and business practices that exploit the Internet’s ability to give musicians greater access to their audience.

You suggest that the music recording industry was healthy and vibrant before peer-to-peer file-sharing services such as Napster and Kazaa arrived. It wasn’t. The industry had significant inefficiencies and a bloated infrastructure. Despite high prices, fewer than 10 percent of albums marketed in North America made a profit. Consumers and countless musicians suffered. Record companies weren’t interested in developing new artists unless they showed the potential to become superstars.

Copyright laws should create a balance between consumers and the owners of the copyright. That’s why it is simplistic to argue that any form of unpaid downloading is “stealing.” When my neighbour’s daughter wanted music for a school talent show, her father used Napster to download several versions of “Over the Rainbow.” His daughter listened to each rendition a few times, picked her favourite and composed her dance. She gained creative input, and the artists whose songs she listened to lost nothing. In fact, those artists gained exposure. Now there is one more Judy Garland fan in the world. I don’t think her father is guilty of theft.

By having something better to offer, Perrier competes with free water and cable competes with free TV. A smart record industry could compete with free music. However, this requires innovative thinking that provides new value for the music lover: better services and delivery systems. I’ve argued for years that new models for the recording industry would generate greater revenues and dramatically lower costs, but to no avail.

As you acknowledge, you are one of the lucky ones who can work full-time doing what you love. Good for you. I think that our copyrights laws should make music more accessible while creating full-time employment for many more musicians.

Don Tapscott
Toronto