Subject: The ongoing Napster argument.(An Argument for?)

Dear Bartcop,
 
I can't recall where exactly I saw this, but I recently read an article
where someone had done a study regarding Napster and it's effects on the
record industry. They found that there was a marked increase in cd sales
in areas that had a high concentration of Napster users.

In my mind, napster was a way to "hip" yourself to some things you hadn't had a chance
to check out before. Then, if you ended up really liking it, there really is no replacement
for having the actual product with all the artwork and album credits/liner notes.
Downloading it on your PC (and even burning it on a CD-Rom) is not enough,
at least for a lot of us. To me, it can help promote some artists that would never get the
exposure through regular channels (Radio, MTV, VH-1, and various other record industry whores).
 
Otherwise, keep up the great work! Only stumbled on the site yesterday, and already,
I'm convinced I'll be visiting here two to three times every day!
 
Robby Stevens
Queens, NY
 

Robby, good point.
Take me, for instance.
I'd never buy a rap CD or a Eminem CD, because I'm not familiar with that
kind of music and I wouldn't want to risk the $15.

But if I heard a song or two from Napster, I might buy a rap CD.
It's unlikely, but there's zero chance of it happening withour me hearing a song or two.
Another good point was having the actual product.

******************************************************

From: dream9@go.com

Subject: Those liars at the RIAA

The Big Lie : Napster hurts CD sales.

It may no longer be #1, but for a long time, The Beatles latest compilation has been flying off the shelves.
This in spite of the FACT that EVERY song has been available for FREE on Napster.
Doesn't the suing party have to prove damages?
Where's their proof?

Who does the RIAA represent? Certainly not the artists. There are many
albums no longer in print. I can't buy CD's that don't exist, but I have
been able to find some rarities on Napster. When all the record companies
agree to keep all their artists' work in print, then they can claim they
represent the musicians and not themselves.
 

I had the opposite experience with Napster: I couldn't find any complete albums.
Maybe The Beatles worked because those songs were all 3 minutes long.

As an example, trying to find "Aqualung," all I could get was the title song and Cross Eyed Mary.
If I wanted the whole album, I'd have to buy it.