MP3

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What is an MP3
An MP3 is a recorded high-quality audio (voice and music) file which can be distributed over the Internet, and played on any multimedia computer with the right sound card and speakers. MP 3 is simply a file format that compresses a song into a smaller size so it is easier to move around on the Internet and store. MPEG is the acronym for Moving Picture Experts Group. This group has developed compression systems used for video data. For example, DVD movies, HDTV broadcasts and DSS satellite systems use MPEG compression to fit video and movie data into smaller spaces. The MPEG compression system includes a subsystem to compress sound, called MPEG audio Layer-3. We know this as MP3.

The music industry distribution medium of audio CD's, or "packages of audio information" (approximately 10 songs), preserves its dominate high sale price through shortage. The true value of a musical artist is found only in what he (or the distributor) can persuade or force people to pay for the privilege of listening. It does not matter how much of a "good idea" it is to have such laws to protect the artists. People will listen without paying, because they can.
If the musician wants protection from unauthorized listening of his live performances, that he should find some form of self-protection¡Xby only performing for small groups of people or for audiences that agree to pay for entrance into an auditorium? And that he should stop crying about people listening to him sing in public without pay, and about the police not arresting the illegal listeners?
This is exactly the type of situation that is developing with the new breakthrough digital audio format called MP3 combined with the Internet. The heart of the matter is not morality, but enforceability.

Audio Copyrights and Other Delusions
The same is now true of existing audio copyright issues. They are absolutely unenforceable, and will not protect the artists. Only the morality of the public will protect the music industry, and the morality of the public does not hold much promise for existing copyright issues. The difference between the industry losing "billions" in audio CD sales from the illegal recording of radio songs on Memorex cassette tapes, and the "billions" it loses in lost sales from the recording of MP3 files is this. MP3 files are easier to copy, distribute, s...

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... in one. Satisfying this demand will be key to the growth of the MP3 player market, demand is growing for MP3 players, and there's a clamor for their prices to come down. The majority of current manufacturers are OEM makers without their own brand and key technology.
Works Cited

Greenfield, Karl. "You¡¦ve Got Music." Time 22 February 1999 : 58-60

Philips, Chuck. "Web Impresario Posing Threat to Music Industry." (Los Angeles) LA Times 4 December 1998.

www.mp3.com/news/207.html Robertson, Michael. "Attempts to Shutdown Pirate MP3 Music Sites are Backfiring." No date avai---lable.

www.mp3.com/news/025.html ---. "Beasties Blast MP3s and Exploit the Net." No date available.

www.mp3.com/news/093.html ---. "Rio Rocks Music Industry." No date available.

www.mp3.com/news/101.html ---. "Top Tier Artists Do MP3." No date available.

www.mp3.com/news/101.html ---. "Why Would an Artist Give Away Free Music? To Make Money." No date available.

www.mp3.com/news/029.html Wolfe, Bill. "The Basics of MP3." (Louisville) Louisville Courier-Journal. 12 March
1999.

www.usatoday.com/life/cyber/tech/cte630.htm

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