The New York Times-20080125-Digital Sales of Music Increase
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Digital Sales of Music Increase
As consumers lose interest in compact discs and balk at paying for the digital alternatives, the music industry is looking for new allies, including Internet service providers, lawmakers -- even Chinese air guitarists.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry said Thursday that worldwide digital music sales rose to $2.9 billion last year, from $2.1 billion a year earlier. That was about 15 percent of overall sales, up from 11 percent a year earlier and less than 1 percent in 2003.
But digital sales have yet to make up for the shortfall in sales of compact discs, and overall sales of recorded music fell about 10 percent last year, to $17.6 billion, the federation estimated. A recovery in the music industry remains at least a year away, the federation's chief executive, John Kennedy, said.
In the meantime, the recording industry is broadening its search for revenue. The trade group plans to step up a campaign to hold Internet providers responsible for stopping piracy over their networks, Mr. Kennedy said. It is lobbying the United States government to recognize a form of copyright that has provided musicians with a steady royalty stream in Europe and elsewhere.
Mr. Kennedy praised a deal brokered last year by President Nicolas Sarkozy of France, in which Internet service providers agreed to shut down the accounts of persistent copyright violators.
Industry representatives are pushing for similar measures in countries like Britain and Sweden. In China, where piracy is rampant, the music industry is considering a lawsuit against Baidu.com, the largest Internet provider, Mr. Kennedy said.
Some developments favored the music industry in China. Under a recent agreement, karaoke bars now recognize audiovisual rights to music videos and would collect fees.
