Downloading Vs. Buying Music Online

=  About Us = Group Members:
 * Patrick Tiffany
 * Richard Pak
 * Joanne Chen
 * Iris Kong

= Introduction =

There has been a big controversy on the issue of buying music versus downloading music online. people can either buy songs using programs such as itunes, where they pay and the royalties go to the specific artist or download the music using programs such as limewire, where people dont have to pay and the specific song is obtained using a peer to peer downloading system where the song is transferred from computer to computer.

= Limewire = Limewire is a file sharing program which uses the peer to peer client for the java platform. It was created under the same idea as Napster in which millions of complete strangers can log on to a computer and share their mp3’s with other people in the network. Although Napster was shut down by a copyright infringement Limewire continues to run. Limewire is also different from the original peer to peer systems because it has no central server systems that store information. The system that Limewire runs off of is called the Gnutella system which isn’t a website or a server, it is in fact a network protocol which allows users to connect directly to other computers, in this system everyone can send and receive files. The files in Limewire come in variations of music, video, pictures, documents, and even programs. When a computer searches for the file it can go to any other computer in the Gnutella system, and search that computer for the file if found that computer becomes a server in essence and the searcher can download the chosen file. Unfortunately file searches are made on the title of the file, which is all up to the owner of the file; this is why people can easily mask harmful files. With the original download of Limewire you have the choice of downloading the free or pro versions of the product. The main advantage to pro is the company claims that you will receive 66% more results with each query, and more peers means a faster and more efficient download. Although Limewire cannot escape the same situation that plagued Napster, the company warns its users to not share any files that are under copyright protection. However in 2006 the music industry sued Limewire for enabling and promoting internet piracy, the case is still pending. Limewire is a very efficient program which allows the computers in the system to become servers and clients, it is one of the most popular ways to obtain music in December 2007 it was installed on 18% of windows computers worldwide and I believe those numbers will only continue to rise.

= iTunes =

ITunes is a downloadable media player that was first introduced to the computer technology by Apple Inc. on January 9, 2001. In addiction ITunes is able to play media files such as music and movies; the application lets you connect to the ITunes store for any purchasable digital media, you can also subscribe to podcasts, which is a TV or an audio show, through Apple's ITunes. Medias that are downloaded from the ITunes Store are all copy protected by the Fair Play digital rights management, which is a system that only allows you to play, add or edit the content of the media on certain mp3s like the iPod. Although, in recent versions of the program, iTunes was compatible with other mp3 players, however it continues to work best with Apple products.

= LimeWire vs. iTunes = Limewire is stated to be a file sharing software program which is peer to peer. Ironically, listed on Limewire’s copyright information, quote “LimeWire is legal software, but it is illegal for you to use LimeWire to share copyrighted files without permission.” Limewire further states that even if you have purchased the files that are copyrighted, you do not have permission to share the files.

Itunes will allow users to purchase media and transfer it to their devices. However, again they do state that copyrighted materials may require permission to be shared. Having to only pay a dollar per track or ten dollars an album is affordable to the users who want to support their favorite artists.

It is essentially up to users which route they will decide to take in getting their media. Either by purchasing tracks or “sharing” is a debate. If copyrighted materials need to be purchased rather than shared, laws should be more strict and more punishable. Having moderators chase after the users who obtain their media the illegal way would send a strong message out to the public that all material should be purchased.

= Statistics =

iTunes
 * Downloads:   >969074 songs per day
 * Developer:   Apple Inc.
 * Language:    All Languages Supported
 * Price:       $0.99 per track
 * Supported Operating Systems:  Windows, Vista, Mac OS
 * Size:

LimeWire


 * Downloads: 	> 3, 200, 000 (per year)
 * Developer: 	LimeWire
 * Language: 	All Languages Supported
 * Price: 	Free songs to download
 * Supported Operating Systems: 	Windows, Vista, Linux, Mac OS

= Conclusion = In conclusion, the music industry argues that ilegal downloading had an great effect to the industry. The industry has tried taken many ways to stop illegal music downloads; prosecution. People often face the dilemma of weather purchasing the product or downloading is a better choice.

= References =
 * http://cmichae.acm.jhu.edu/blog/articles/apple-itunes-sales-statistics/
 * http://www.icomparer.com/MusicSites/LimeWireReview.html
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes
 * http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limewire
 * http://www.limewire.com/about/