MP3 CriticsMP3 CriticsWeb-Based Music Web-Based Music

Downloading ServicesDownloading Services

CSCI 110CSCI 110

Dr. BowringDr. Bowring

Matt LyonsMatt Lyons

Jarrett BouchetteJarrett Bouchette

Brittany BridgesBrittany Bridges

OverviewOverview

The purpose of our research was to evaluate The purpose of our research was to evaluate

the pros and cons of two competing online the pros and cons of two competing online

music downloading software. We chose music downloading software. We chose

Limewire and iTunes to be representative of Limewire and iTunes to be representative of

the online music options available to the online music options available to

consumers. We researched the development, consumers. We researched the development,

features, and growth of each software. features, and growth of each software.

DevelopmentDevelopment

Online music downloads started with the Online music downloads started with the

development peer-to-peer (P2P) development peer-to-peer (P2P)

software. This software enables users to software. This software enables users to

share music that has been uploaded in share music that has been uploaded in

digital format. Napster was the first digital format. Napster was the first

major platform to utilize this form of file-major platform to utilize this form of file-

sharing of music.sharing of music.

NapsterNapster

In June of 1999 Shawn Fanning developed In June of 1999 Shawn Fanning developed

Napster, which enabled users to share Napster, which enabled users to share

their music, cost free, with anyone else their music, cost free, with anyone else

who was using Napster. Within the same who was using Napster. Within the same

calendar year that Napster was released to calendar year that Napster was released to

the public, it was sued for copyright the public, it was sued for copyright

infringement by the RIAA.infringement by the RIAA.

KaZaAKaZaANapster set the precedent for P2P music Napster set the precedent for P2P music

downloading companies across the globe. In downloading companies across the globe. In

2001 two people from Amsterdam created this 2001 two people from Amsterdam created this

software and took on the popularity that software and took on the popularity that

Napster had and at it’s peak was installed on Napster had and at it’s peak was installed on

140 million computers worldwide. KaZaA was 140 million computers worldwide. KaZaA was

sued for similar lawsuits as Napster and was had sued for similar lawsuits as Napster and was had

to pay $100 million in reparations to four major to pay $100 million in reparations to four major

recording industries.recording industries.

LimewireLimewireLimewire is the newest P2P software that is Limewire is the newest P2P software that is

used for free music downloading. Limewire used for free music downloading. Limewire

does encourage its users to upgrade to does encourage its users to upgrade to

Limewire PRO for $24.95 so they can use its Limewire PRO for $24.95 so they can use its

upgrades. PRO version offers things that the upgrades. PRO version offers things that the

regular version does not such as faster regular version does not such as faster

downloads, larger search options, background downloads, larger search options, background

skins, and “Turbo Charged” downloads.skins, and “Turbo Charged” downloads.

iTunesiTunesIn January of 2001 Apple Inc. introduced In January of 2001 Apple Inc. introduced

iTunes, a digital media player application. iTunes, a digital media player application.

It was mainly promoted to help it’s other It was mainly promoted to help it’s other

applications such as the iPod and recently applications such as the iPod and recently

released, iPhone. iTunes is a legal way to released, iPhone. iTunes is a legal way to

download music by paying a small fee per download music by paying a small fee per

song, video, television show, games, etc. song, video, television show, games, etc.

Even though introduced by Apple, it is Even though introduced by Apple, it is

compatible with Windows Vista and older compatible with Windows Vista and older

versions.versions.

iTunes versus LimewireiTunes versus Limewire

Limewire iTunes

Free of Charge?Yes, but upgraded

version available for $24.95

No, small fee per download.

Compatibility?

Can run on any system with Java Virtual Machine

installed.

Available for Macs, Windows, iPod, and iPhone with Digital Jukebox software

installed.

Import Playlists? Can rip from CDs.

Can rip from CDs, import Limewire

playlists and other music downloading

services.

Who uses Who uses Limewire and Limewire and

who uses iTunes?who uses iTunes?

SimilaritiesSimilarities

Despite the many differences they have many Despite the many differences they have many

similarities. They share and transport similarities. They share and transport

copyrighted music files through public copyrighted music files through public

networks. Both software's have the abilities to networks. Both software's have the abilities to

make playlists of songs and also libraries. make playlists of songs and also libraries.

These libraries then can be shared through These libraries then can be shared through

something called Digital Audio Access Protocol.something called Digital Audio Access Protocol.

Differences

Limewire is useful because when it is downloaded, it can be saved and can go to any software just about except the iPod.

The iPod is restricted so that it is only compatible with songs from iTunes.

Growth in Online MusicGrowth in Online Music

In 2008 iTunes passes Wal-Mart as largest In 2008 iTunes passes Wal-Mart as largest

U.S. music retailerU.S. music retailer

¼ of all Americans over 12 years old have ¼ of all Americans over 12 years old have

downloaded a music or Mp3 file from the netdownloaded a music or Mp3 file from the net

The stat above equals out to 60 million peopleThe stat above equals out to 60 million people

28% of Americans admit to downloading 28% of Americans admit to downloading

musicmusic

Wrap UpWrap Up

Music downloading is growing rapidly in the Music downloading is growing rapidly in the

2121stst century. Since the platform set by century. Since the platform set by

Napster, free music downloading is more Napster, free music downloading is more

popular than ever. Free services, such as popular than ever. Free services, such as

Limewire, are more widely used today than Limewire, are more widely used today than

Napster was in its era. Record companies and Napster was in its era. Record companies and

artists are starting to wonder how they are artists are starting to wonder how they are

going to get paid fully for there work is going to get paid fully for there work is

companies such as iTunes and Limewire companies such as iTunes and Limewire

continue to become more popular.continue to become more popular.

References

Tanner, Adam, and Scott Hills. "ITunes Tanner, Adam, and Scott Hills. "ITunes Passes Wal-Mart as Top U.S. Music Passes Wal-Mart as Top U.S. Music Retailer." Retailer." MoneyMoney. 04 Apr. 2008. USA . 04 Apr. 2008. USA Today. 17 Apr. 2008 Today. 17 Apr. 2008 <http://www.usatoday.com/money/media<http://www.usatoday.com/money/media/2008-04-03-apple-itunes-sales-tops-wal-/2008-04-03-apple-itunes-sales-tops-wal-mart_N.htm>.mart_N.htm>.

Zetner, Alejando. "Measuring the Effect of Zetner, Alejando. "Measuring the Effect of Music Downloads on Music Purchases." Music Downloads on Music Purchases." University of ChicagoUniversity of Chicago (2005). (2005).