Napster, or file sharing, has taken the computer and recording industry by storm. The process of "sharing" music files over the Internet is not stealing copyrighted music. Still, the artists are upset with Napster because they feel it is decreasing their profits. The music industry needs to find out how to profit from file sharing. Napster allows people to share their music with the world through their computers. So, in theory, file sharing should destroy record sales. However, that is not the case at all. During last year alone, records have skyrocketed; 'N Sync sold 2.41 million copies, Eminem 1.76, Britney Spears 1.32 in the first week of sales. Limp Bizkit also over a million copies in the first week of sales. This was the first year four artists sold over 1 million copies during the first week of sales (Graham). Why aren't the record sales at an all-time low? Shouldn't Napster be killing records sales? The simple answer is that no, file sharing helps sell more music. Napster doesn't violate copyright laws and doesn't hurt the business of the music industry, CD burners do. The solution to the problem of people sharing music files is not to outlaw Napster but outlaw CD burners. People will still buy CDs if they can't copy music from the Internet onto a CD because the music files of a computer can only be played through the computer.
             Napster allows listeners to sample all music, not just the released singles heard on
             the radio. This also allows people to sample music they might not have listened to before, creating a bigger sales market. People can type in an artist's name that they have never listened to before, listen to a few songs, and then find out if they like it. Unsigned bands and unknown artists can also benefit because it will get their names out to the public. These artists can then look forward to swifter signing with a major label and finally reap the profits that services like Napster helped them earn. Napster als...