Currently people have two main options when they wish to listen to music, to do it legally or illegally. Legally means the people who make the music, the artists and their producers e.c.t, get paid when you listen to it, that may be by either the consumer paying to download the track, iTunes for example, or subscribing to a service which streams the music to the consumer and then adverts and/or monthly subscriptions pay the industry respectively, Spotify for example. When people obtain music Illegally it means consumes are downloading music without paying anyone, for example limewire.
Putting the legalities aside it is obvious that getting music digitally is a becoming a very popular affair,From 2004 - 2010 the value of the digital music industry has grown 1000%. This is because often it is cheaper for a consumer wishing to purchase music online rather than in store, as there not having to pay for the raw materials like the disk, case and packaging, and the quality of the music is the same.
Popular devices such as iPods mean people have listen to music in a digital format, and getting music digitally rather than converting old CD's to then sync to the device is easier and less hassle.
The big Concern for the music industry is as more people get music online and have access to the internet people will use illegal means to obtain music as its cheaper. It all started over 10 years with the first file-sharing website Napster. And ever since then it's meant only one thing, the music industry is loosing money, value and growth. In fact from 2004 - 2011 the value of the global music industry has fallen 31%.
The Future is certain, with the value of the digital music industry on the rise. More and more people will switch from physical to digital means of getting there music.
However the key will be for the music industry to be able to work with ISP's to block illegal sites and to get governments onboard too. ISP’s will be needed for people to get music digitally and they can gain business and a strong music industry can help the economy for the government.
This way the music industry will continue to grow. If this does not happen however it is estimated that by 2015 1.2 million jobs will be lost in the creative industry due to piracy.