Thursday, July 9, 2009

Surprise RIAA Versus Jammie Thomas-Rasset Verdict is a Game Changer: Gray Area Research Market Analysis Provides Context

A federal jury ordered Jammie Thomas-Rasset to pay a $1.92 million fine for allegedly downloading 24 songs (Case number 0:2006cv01497, Virgin Records America, Inc v. Thomas). In a surprisingly harsh verdict, the Minnesota woman was fined $80,000 for each song she downloaded through the Kazaa peer-to-peer file sharing network. A Gray Area Research market analysis available from STIX Market Research discusses the issues that lead up to the decision. "Music Industry Download Global Revolution: Markets, Forecasts, and Trends" provides a concise, value-intensive investigation covering a range of information.

(PRWEB) July 9, 2009 -- A federal jury ordered Jammie Thomas-Rasset to pay a $1.92 million fine for allegedly downloading 24 songs. In a surprisingly harsh verdict, the Minnesota woman was fined $80,000 for each song she downloaded through the Kazaa peer-to-peer file sharing network. (Case number 0:2006cv01497, Virgin Records America, Inc v. Thomas).

She had been found guilty in a previous case in which she was ordered to pay $222,000 for the same songs. The judge of the previous case declared it a mistrial and Thomas-Rasset opted for a new trial. The original case covered accusations by Capitol Records while the new trial was expanded to include charges by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). She reportedly could have settled for about $3,500.

Music Industry Download Global Revolution: Markets, Forecasts, and Trends
Although the RIAA no longer brings suit against individuals they suspect have illegally downloaded music, there is a backlog of at least 35,000 other alleged file-sharers. Current U.S. copyright law allows for a fine of up to $150,000 per infringement

It's unlikely that Ms. Thomas-Rasset, a single mother of four, will pay even a fraction of the fine. Her attorney, Kiwi Camara is considering an appeal.

The broad consequences of the verdict will become clear with time. Will there be an appeal? Will there be a settlement? Will the 35,000 existing plaintiffs rush to settle? Will Congress reduce the monetary consequences of the Copyright Act of 1976?

A Gray Area Research market analysis available from STIX Market Research discusses the issues that lead up to the decision. "Music Industry Download Global Revolution: Markets, Forecasts, and Trends" provides a concise, value-intensive investigation covering a range of information--from detailed market analyses through industry trends--to quantify and qualify the market for downloaded music via online or mobile formats. Forecasts and trends are gleaned from industry sources as well as from considered assessment of available and emerging technologies. The report provides historical revenues and predictions covering the period between 2002 and 2013. The overall and downloaded music markets are both covered, including online and mobile music download-related services and products.

This report analyses products, services, markets, and technologies in use and in development in the downloaded music market. Among the main trends and issues discussed are the response by the industry to illegally obtained downloaded music and the explosion of innovative business models to exploit the opportunities in this rapidly evolving market.

 
  • The Overview section provides a discussion of the history and rapid evolution of the downloaded music market, with an emphasis on the impact of digital technology and how this is changing the way the world purchases music.
  • The Issues and Trends section discusses the growth in certain technologies--in particular broadband and mobile telephone--that are changing the venues through which people buy music.
  • Also discussed in this section are the very problematic issues of copyright infringement and illegal downloads, how these have affected the music industry overall, and steps being taken to address this crisis, including efforts to involve internet service providers (ISPs) in the policing of illegal file sharing.
  • The Technology section compares and analyzes common digital audio formats, download formats, and devices.
  • The Products and Markets section discusses and analyzes distribution models, format options, and markets. Comparative sales analyses are provided for the various channels, technologies, devices, and formats utilized in the marketing of digital music.
  • Tables include current and forecasted sales by technology, channel, and format for the global and U.S. downloaded music markets.
  • The section on Industry Structure provides an overview of challenges and solutions in the fast-changing music download market including detailed discussion of various business models.
  • Direct-to-consumer business models that remove many of the distribution and marketing layers found in the traditional music industry are emphasized.
  • The Company Snapshot section profiles companies that have paved the way in the digital audio download market as well as those working on the next innovations.

Among the companies discussed are Amazon.com, Apple Inc., Itunes.com, Logic Studio, Quicktime, Bigchampagne, CD Baby, The Emi Group, Emusic, Lala.com, Lime Wire, Napster, Rhapsody, Tunecore, Universal Music Group, and Warner Music Group Corp.

Contact STIX for price information at 281/682-2912, or see http://www.prweb.com/releases/Music/downloads/http://www.prweb.com/releases/Music/downloads/stix-market-research.com.

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Posted by prolink at 12:45 AM

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