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MP3

A compression technology that allows for the storing and transmitting
of audio data, usually music. Evolving from the development of digital
television, MP3 technology provides the means for transferring digital
audio to data that can be translated by computer software. The original
intention for this technology was a means of saving valuable
information space held on hard drives and CD ROMs. This certainly
has been achieved – for example, thirteen hours of MP3 files can now
be stored on a CD compared to traditional digital audio only allowing
for seventy-four minutes.
MP3 files not only provide an efficient means of storing audio
information but also for transmitting it. It is here that most discussion
concerning MP3s is centred. Prior to a court order closing down
online music distributor Napster in 2001, MP3 users were able to
traffic and trade favoured songs, artists and genres with other users
with a speed and an ease that were previously unknown. Intervention
from the music industry, however, has attempted to halt this activity,
with copyright infringement cited as the legal rationale.
While the debate over intellectual copyright continues to impinge
on the future uses of MP3s, musicians continue to argue the
importance of this newtechnology. For newer artists MP3s provide a
means of distributing their music without the need for record label
and distributive support. Established artists too are seeing the potential
for establishing a direct link between themselves and their fans without
the need for support from the music industry. The threat to the music
industry as a result of these possibilities suggests that further debates
concerning MP3s will not be based on technological possibility, but
rather howto control, regulate and benefit economically from the
distribution possibilities.
See also: Online music distribution