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"According to Association of Independent Music (AIM) '(...) A 'major' is defined in AIM's constitution as a multinational company which (together with the compa

"According to Association of Independent Music (AIM) '(...) A 'major' is defined in AIM's constitution as a multinational company which (together with the companies in its group) has more than 5% of the world market(s) for the sale of records and/or music videos. The majors are (currently) Sony BMG, Warner, EMI, and the Universal Music Group (which incorporates Polygram).'" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_label http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independent_record_label Four labels control 95% of the market? Sure seems like an industry to me...

cturner 17y ago
Any definition of 'music industry' should refer to the set of musical activity done for profit. This extends far beyond the sign->record->license model that those four chase. Think of live music activity done as business (orchestras, stage works, live bands, professional church musicians), self-publishing musicians, sheet music, bespoke composition, and all the music work done around advertising. Even that barrier is artificial. If it weren't for copyright a lot of the barriers between music, dance, acting and other creative pursuits would evaporate. People could publish innovations without threats of legal attack or stifling paperwork overhead.
- gabrielroth 17y ago
  OK, so for 'the music industry' read 'the recorded-music industry.'
chrisbolt 17y ago
Four labels control 95% of the market? How did you get that number? Four labels each control more than 5% of the market, but that doesn't mean the rest control less than 5% combined.
- dandelany 17y ago
  You're right, I misread the statistic. Looks like the actual market share of the majors is ~87%. (http://www.audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music-blog/2008/07/market-share-of-the-major-record-labels-and-a-takeover-analysis/ http://www.audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music-blog/2008/07/ma...) My point, however, still stands. The record labels control the direction of the recorded-music industry, and it is an industry.

cturner 17y ago

Any definition of 'music industry' should refer to the set of musical activity done for profit. This extends far beyond the sign->record->license model that those four chase. Think of live music activity done as business (orchestras, stage works, live bands, professional church musicians), self-publishing musicians, sheet music, bespoke composition, and all the music work done around advertising. Even that barrier is artificial. If it weren't for copyright a lot of the barriers between music, dance, acting and other creative pursuits would evaporate. People could publish innovations without threats of legal attack or stifling paperwork overhead.

gabrielroth 17y ago
OK, so for 'the music industry' read 'the recorded-music industry.'

chrisbolt 17y ago

Four labels control 95% of the market? How did you get that number? Four labels each control more than 5% of the market, but that doesn't mean the rest control less than 5% combined.

dandelany 17y ago
You're right, I misread the statistic. Looks like the actual market share of the majors is ~87%. (http://www.audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music-blog/2008/07/market-share-of-the-major-record-labels-and-a-takeover-analysis/ http://www.audiomicro.com/royalty-free-music-blog/2008/07/ma...) My point, however, still stands. The record labels control the direction of the recorded-music industry, and it is an industry.