January 20, 2006IFPI Digital Music Report - Executive SummaryLooking at the impact of music on a new wave of digital commerce. It includes a call to action to key partners to help address the key challenges confronting the digital music industry at the start of 2006. IFPI Digital Music Report - Executive Summary Syopsis Introduction by John Kennedy, Chairman & CEO of IFPI looking at the impact of music on a new wave of digital commerce. It includes a call to action to key partners to help address the key challenges confronting the digital music industry at the start of 2006. THE DIGITAL MARKET TAKES SHAPE IN 2005 2005 was a landmark year for digital music. Digital sales in 2005 accounted for approximately 6% of global music sales based on the first half of the year. The legitimate digital music business has caught the imagination of consumers, sales have increased steadily and new service launches have accelerated to give shape to an exciting new market for recorded music. This sections highlights the key milestones in shaping the future of the digital market and looks at developments worldwide Key highlights: * Digital is the fastest-growing delivery channel for music GETTING MUSIC TO CONSUMERS IN MORE WAYS From a-la-carte and subscription to video and mobile, digital distribution formats have evolved and diversified in 2005, bringing music to consumers in more ways than ever before. This is set to continue in the coming year as business models continue to evolve. Focus * Distribution channels diversify MOBILE MUSIC SHOWS ITS POTENTIAL Over the past decade mobile penetration has risen exponentially and, more recently, mobile handsets have evolved from a basic voice-based device to whole entertainment hubs, creating a new channel for music distribution. Mobile music is fast becoming an important revenue stream for record companies, already accounting for almost half of digital music revenues. Focus * Mobile music spreads globally IN THE PIPELINE: LEGITIMATE P2P, DIGITAL RADIO AND PODCASTING A key focus for music industry today is to help make music available for the consumer in an array of innovative and flexible ways - just so long as it is properly licensed secure and paid for. As new technologies develop year on year, record companies have been working with entrepreneurs, technology providers and online services to help develop new opportunities, while making sure that right holders retain their right to determine the distribution of their creative works. 2005 has seen three exciting new developments progress: legitimate peer-to-peer (P2P), digital radio and podcasting. Focus * Legitimate P2P MUSIC CONSUMPTION IS CHANGING Focus * New IFPI research spotlights the consumer CONFRONTING THE CHALLENGES In early 2006 a number of significant obstacles hamper the progress of the digital music market. These include the still very large problem of internet piracy and the need for more effective cooperation from Internet Service Providers (ISPs) in containing copyright infringement; the continuing lack of interoperability between formats and devices; and the emerging threat from unlicensed digital stream ripping. Focus * Internet piracy: the biggest obstacle COURTS IMPROVE THE LANDSCAPE For the recording industry, the business environment in which legitimate digital music has had to compete with mass-scale unauthorised free music is improving rapidly. The message sent by the courts has been clear. Operators of unauthorised P2P networks and websites searching for 'piracy havens' can be held liable for music piracy. Focus * Courts rule against illegal P2P CONTAINING ILLEGAL FILE-SHARING A thriving digital music business means containing piracy. In 2005 the music industry widened its campaign of deterrence against illegal file-sharing, nearly tripling the number of legal actions to a total of some 20,000 cases in 17 countries. Targeted education campaigns also played a critical role in raising awareness and changing consumer perceptions. This section asks whether the industry's efforts are yielding results by looking at the latest file-sharing figures in the context of the rise in broadband penetration. Focus * Deterrence: legal actions against individual file-sharers DRM & INTEROPERABILITY: THE KEYS TO FUTURE GROWTH Digital Rights Management is an essential tool, helping to increase consumer choice while protecting the works of music creators from unauthorised distribution and unfair use. They are digital enablers, not merely locks and keys. The biggest challenge with DRM technologies is to make them operate smoothly enough so that they are largely invisible to consumers - and this remains a very significant problem in the current digital music market. Meanwhile the incompatibility of DRM systems has created a situation where digital services and devices do not inter-operate, hindering the future development of the digital music business. Focus * The challenge for DRM WHAT DIGITAL MUSIC OFFERS THE CONSUMER What online and digital music offers the consumer at a glance. |