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Will Mp3 Downloads Annihilate the Record Industry? The Evidence so Far

Stan J. Liebowitz
University of Texas at Dallas - School of Management - Department of Finance & Managerial Economics

June 2003

Abstract:
This paper investigates the impact of unauthorized downloading of MP3 files on the recording industry. Although the no longer extant Napster was the most famous system used for such downloading, its progeny have continued to allow millions of music listeners to download music (and other) files without remuneration to the copyright owners. Using data on the historical sales of prerecorded music I examine in detail the recent decline in record sales and attempt to gauge the importance of various alternative factors that have been put forward to explain this decline. I conclude that the evidence supports a claim that MP3 downloads decrease sales.

Keywords: Copyright, MP3, Downloads

JEL Classifications: K0, L0, L5, L8

Working Paper Series

Date posted: July 21, 2003 ; Last revised: January 11, 2007

Suggested Citation

Liebowitz, Stan J., Will Mp3 Downloads Annihilate the Record Industry? The Evidence so Far (June 2003). Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=414162 or doi:10.2139/ssrn.414162

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Contact Information

Stan J. Liebowitz (Contact Author)

University of Texas at Dallas - School of Management - Department of Finance & Managerial Economics ( email )

800 W Campbell Road
Mail Station SM 31
Richardson, TX 75080
United States
972-883-2807 (Phone)
972-883-2818 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.utdallas.edu/~liebowit/