Leaked Albums - Does It Hurt Or Help The Artist?

[DudeAsInCool]

The Seattle Times takes a look the growning controversy in their article, 'Has Free Music Become A Listener's Birthright?":

"The recording industry is in a funk, dealing with sorely lagging sales and a generation of young consumers who consider free music their birthright. Now, it also must deal with the economics of new records getting leaked prematurely on the Internet.

Labels can fight the unauthorized release of their music as they have in the past with nasty court battles that tarnished the industry's reputation. Or they can go with the flow, staying one step ahead of the leakers. Common sense suggests that album leaks can benefit both the label and the artist by providing exposure to the music, building good buzz for an upcoming release (assuming it doesn't suck)."

Read More