The music industry is partial to finger pointing when sales are on the downfall, but now sales are on the up. “File sharing” has become a forgotten term. British Phonographic Industry (BPI) Chairman, Peter Jamieson said, "For years we've read stories about the death of the single. The single never died. Consumers just opted to buy albums instead. But this new increase in the singles market has to be welcome news."

The BPI has changed their tune as the sale of singles has increased for the first time in five years. During these five years, the BPI has blamed the falling sales on everybody except the labels they represent, with piracy, including file sharing, taking much of the heat.

With the news of CD singles increasing by 15.4% in volume, the industry is congratulating itself on a job well done. The amusing part is that they have only done what file sharers have demanded all along.

The British music scene has produced more original acts, such as The Darkness, Busted, The Streets, Jamie Cullum and most importantly, Franz Ferdinand. Franz Ferdinand is both the beacon of the latest BPI report, and the band who invited students in Edinburgh to download music.

The increase in sales can be partly accredited to CD singles slowly becoming cheaper. BMG announced in July that they are cutting CD prices. Sales are also being boosted by the reinvention of the double A-side, which are sold at about the same price as standard CD singles. They now account for more than half of the top-selling CD singles.

It does not take an economist to explain that customers will buy more products if they are better value for money.

Furthermore, the industry is giving itself a pat on the back for embracing new technology. As users of the original Napster are mumbling, “finally,” the music industry is bragging that online music stores have jointly broken the 2,000,000 mark. At the extortionate price of 79 pence to £1.09 per track ($1.43 - $2), this represents high revenue and high profit margins.

Meanwhile, music DVD sales have increased by 70%, now representing 4% of the market. As a symbol of this new age, the industry has stopped selling singles on cassette tape.

Interestingly, some old technology has also helped sales. The value of 7” Vinyl sales has increased by 70%, as dance DJs use them for mixing and audiophiles believe they have a more genuine sound.

As promised by file sharers, more original artists, better value for money and adapting to new technology, even if not whole hearted, has improved sales. It is now the job of the industry to continue to listen to file sharers. Reduce the price of CDs and online music in the UK to compete internationally, and remove the pointless and limiting Data Rights Management (DRM).

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Entertainment Industry :: Other

British Phonographic Industry

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