UBGteam Blogs: LEAK THIS!

UBGteam Blogs: ‘LEAK THIS!’ – By Dhaani James

The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry recently announced global physical record sales declines of 12.7 percent and piracy may be the cause.

Since the late 90s, peer to peer networks like Napster, BearShare, and others had new music releases online before stores had it available to the public.

This new phenomena caught on spreading like wildfire placing the music industry on edge. How could they stop the online music trade?
Of course there was the lawsuit the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) had against Napster, which they won, but other networks formed. The RIAA even took matters to personal internet companies such as AT&T, Comcast, and college campuses where students shared music they enjoy.

Why hasn’t the industry or record labels held their own employees accountable for leaking material? This practice has taken place for a long time but the public is often used as the scapegoat because of their mistakes.

You have to take things back to the recording process and how it begins.

Most newcomers and even established recording artists have so many around their studio sessions, these people entrusted not to leak music end up doing so.

In other instances when material is finished and shipped off to label execs and A&R’s online, the music is then shared with DJ’s who in turn share it with the public.

When labels ship music off for distribution, those who work at those facilities often take advance copies of the music and place it online.
After all is said and done, labels point the fingers at the American public for low sales and sharing their music online illegally.
Sharing music can help or hinder the artist’s sales. For example Lil’ Wayne’s 2008 release “The Carter III” had different versions leaked online but still managed to sell more than one million copies during its first week.

More recently, the much anticipated artist Drake had more tracks released from his “Thank Me Later” disc being released on June 15.

Upon hearing about the leaks, Drake released a statement via Twitter. “I gave away free music for years so we’re good over here. Just allow it to be the soundtrack to your summer and enjoy”, he said.
Again, who’s leaking the material?

Instead of trying to bamboozle the American public who makes these labels the conglomerates they are, check with those you employ and set regulations on who have access to the music.
Don’t complain to us when sales are low, this seems like an in-house problem rather than an internet problem.

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Learn more about Dhaani on UBGmedia.com – Launching Soon!
Follow him on Twitter: @NstntVntage