Attitudes of Polish Record Labels Towards the Digital Music Market

Abstract

This article analyzes the attitudes of Polish recording industry towards selling music online and discuses reasons for popularity of traditional music business model among Polish small and medium record labels. Although Polish record labels are active in using the Internet to distribute and promote music, their main product is still represented by a compact disc. The empirical data shows that many Polish record labels approach digital files with mistrust and represent conservative business attitudes, which may be caused by insufficient knowledge about digital music market and new business models. Article suggests that the skepticism of Polish record labels may be also caused by the fact that they believe that traditional music business model gives them much more control over cultural production and distribution, especially since selling compact discs via labels' websites became popular.

Keywords: music business, record label, recording industry, digital music market, digital files

JEL Classification: M31, M00, Z10