CNET's Greg Sandoval recently posted a fascinating interview with Eric Garland of Big Champagne — a California-based company that collects data on filesharing and sells it to the content industry (you know, like labels and film studios). As can be imagined, a lot of what Garland tells these companies isn't perceived as good news. But Big Champagne has been at it for a decade, during which peer-to-peer filesharing went from a "hmm, maybe we should pay attention to that," to a "OMG — where did all of our sales go?" phenomenon.
Though the massive shifts in the production, distribution and sales of music have certainly changed the game for the mainstream biz, technological evolution has also created new opportunities for artists who are now using essentially the same tools as the biggest companies — in many instances, with more success. Which isn't to say that rampant filesharing hasn't also negatively impacted artists (and indie labels) — it's just that that some have been more quick to adapt to the new terrain.
Adaptation is part of what Garland recommends to companies seeking to come out of the other end of the digital transition with something of their business intact. This hasn't made him especially popular, but it's important to remember that the health of Garland's own company is tied to that of his clients — if they go bust, he doesn't have anyone to sell his data to. Which is why Garland isn't shy about serving up the bitter medicine. In his view, the companies that entertain his prescription have the best chance of surviving. . . read more
