Jun. '00 Headlines

During the last couple years, MP3 has become a standard in the digital music arena. High quality, high-frequency audio delivered with unheard of compression pushed this format to stardom overnight.

The software industry picked up on MP3 relatively quick; it wasn't long before MP3 jukeboxes, standalone players, and CD rippers became a staple in the `Internet Lifestyle`. As the new century approached, a relative unknown software firm supplemented this new fad with "Napster"-- a program that would let people share their MP3 files over the Internet.

Napster became wildly popular, as basically any song produced was at the fingertips of an Internet user. New bands would then have a forum to distribute their music freely, gaining acceptance from individuals who normally have an unconscious alliance with recording labels. In addition, music produced under recording labels were being transferred through Napster, which in turn raised the eyebrow of Southern California executives.

The reason recording executives were angry was because their supposed "copyrighted" works were being distributed "illegally" over the Internet, for free. In order to protect their pocketbooks, they raised a battle against the MP3 format. They used their bands as puppets; the latest example being Metallica.

Metallica, somehow not happy with the millions of dollars they already have, launched a campaign against Napster believing their music was "illegally" distributed over the Internet. In all righteousness, Metallica really didn't give a happy damn about the legality of the issue; they just want all their music purchased on $15-20 CDs so they can live lavish lifestyles. They were partially influenced by recording executives, and possibly led to believe what they were doing was right.

What Metallica and the recording executives need to know is that they are wrong. They cannot fight the MP3 revolution; this is becoming a standard in digital music playback. They can either jump on the ship with this format, or they can be swallowed by "the people", who will embrace freelance MP3 artists and their outgoing works.

The music industry and the `sell-out` bands need to realize that the public wants music, not bureaucratic garbage. MP3 is next-generation technology, and the American people do not care about Southern California executives trying to line their pocketbooks with CD-audio sales. Execs need to adapt to current standards, or they will slowly fade away.

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