In addition to the Recording
Industry Association of American (RIAA), the International
Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) is a wealth of information
for anyone following a career in the music industry. One of the best sources of
information that the IFPI offers is the Digital Music
Report. Every year, the IFPI compiles data from numerous sources in order
to provide an accurate picture of the trends happening in the music industry’s
digital market. One of the reasons I especially enjoy the IFPI’s site is that
it is an international, global association. While the RIAA covers legal
protection and rights of music labels and publishers in the United States,
the IFPI looks at the global trends in the music industry. In the current
Digital Music Report, one can find information regarding the use of digital
content (access or ownership), bundling music for the mass market, news about
what artists and publishers can do to protect online content, and strategies
that other countries are implementing to protect and market their music. The
report contains well-written, thorough articles as well as a myriad of
statistics on music sales, consumer trends, and other marketing data that will
assist any self-respecting music entrepreneur in expanding their brand and
growing their business. They also have a report
archive where the .pdf file of previous yearly Digital Music Reports can be
downloaded, which allows anyone in the music industry to study the trends and
changes that have been occurring since the digital age of music began.
In the 2012 Digital Music
Report (which covers the trends and data from 2011), the chairman of the
IFPI, Placido Domingo, writes about “A digital world that rewards artist and
creators.” He speaks of the challenges artists and creators have in the digital
world in remaining profitable and protecting their content, just as they were
and are able to do with physical content. The IFPI is attempting to create
partnerships between governments, legislators, and Internet partners to ensure
that we continue to develop “…an environment in which the public can enjoy the
benefits from a successful digital music sector”. Only by working together will
we be able to create this ideal environment.
I really enjoyed your post. I was not knowledgeable about the IFIPI until today. Artist and Creators do have a harder time protecting their music and revenues from their music now because of the Technological Era and the internet. It is wonderful that there is an association that provides information on how they can protect their digital work.
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