According to RIAA 2008 report the total sales of music in the US was about 8 Bln USD, of which sales of digital music was 30% or 2.7 Bln. The digital downloads growth rate was about 30% compared to the year before, while the sales of CDs fell 26%. The whole industry sales decreased at about 20% per year in 2007 and 2008.

RIAA's numbers demonstrate that digital downloads grows about 10% each year and CD market is shrinking. It means that by 2010 digital downloads will be the major channel of music distribution. That's why major labels are fighting illegal downloads because basically they will have no way to control this area as much as they did with CDs (where the means of production and distribution is controlled by large corporations, not the artists or actual individuals). That's why they want total (legal) control over that market, because it's going to be the major source of their income in the future.

Digital performing rights, which includes payments for broadcasting the music over the internet, satellite radio, etc. was up 87% in 2008 comparing to 2007 showing that it's the fastest growing sector in music industry.

According to RIAA 2008 report the total sales of music in the US was about 8 Bln USD, of which sales of digital music was 30% or 2.7 Bln. The digital downloads growth rate was about 30% compared to the year before, while the sales of CDs fell 26%. The whole industry sales decreased at about 20% per year in 2007 and 2008.

RIAA's numbers demonstrate that digital downloads grows about 10% each year and CD market is shrinking. It means that by 2010 digital downloads will be the major channel of music distribution. That's why major labels are fighting illegal downloads because basically they will have no way to control this area as much as they did with CDs (where the means of production and distribution is controlled by large corporations, not the artists or actual individuals). That's why they want total (legal) control over that market, because it's going to be the major source of their income in the future.

Digital performing rights, which includes payments for broadcasting the music over the internet, satellite radio, etc. was up 87% in 2008 comparing to 2007 showing that it's the fastest growing sector in music industry.