Was reading a typically interesting piece in The Observer by Will Hutton about a new book by Tyler Cowen. Now Cowen is somebody who writes about the economics of the arts, whether globalization is destroying individual cultures etc etc, so this seemed a natural thing to buy for Library stock. Then I see

"The Great Stagnation is a short e-book available only on Kindle."

Oh great - so I could read this on my Kindle, but I can't get a copy for students & staff to read. I wonder if Cowen was aware of the implications when he signed this publishing deal, whether the publishers are happy to limit their potential market to one platform, and whether the book will eventually end up freely available elsewhere. I thought e-books were meant to open up availability, not limit it.

The Guardian reports a projection that up to a quarter of a million jobs could be lost in the UK creative sector if online piracy continues at its current rate. The article draws on reports by the International Chamber of Commerceand Skillset

“New licensing deals help push digital music sales to 27% of global revenues - but piracy is damaging investment in artists”

• Global digital music trade revenues reach US$4.2 billion, up 12% in 2009
• 400 services licensed worldwide by music companies with ISPs, mobile and other partners
• New figures show local music collapsing in major markets as piracy bites into releases, sales and investment in France, Spain and Brazil
• IFPI Digital Music Report highlights urgent need for legislation to curb digital piracy on ISP networks

More than a quarter of all recorded music industry revenues worldwide are now coming from digital channels, as music companies license music in partnership with ISPs and mobile operators, subscription services, streaming sites and hundreds of download stores.

However, despite the continuing growth of the digital music business - with trade revenues up 12% to an estimated US$4.2 billion in 2009 - illegal file-sharing and other forms of online piracy are eroding investment and sales of local music in major markets.

In particular, three countries known for the historic vibrancy and influence of their music and musicians - Spain, France, Brazil - are suffering acutely, with local artist album sales or the number of releases plummeting.

Governments are gradually moving towards legislation requiring ISPs to curb digital piracy. But progress needs to be much quicker. In 2009, France, South Korea and Taiwan adopted new laws to address the crisis. Other governments, including the UK and New Zealand, have proposed new laws for adoption in 2010.

These are key highlights of the IFPI Digital Music Report, published today. The Report provides an overview of the music industry's changing business models, outlines the impact of digital piracy internationally, and reviews the efforts of governments to address it.

Further detail here:

http://www.ifpi.org/content/section_resources/dmr2010.html

and full report here:

http://www.ifpi.org/content/library/DMR2010.pdf

Interesting piece in this week's Sunday Times about how it's perfectly possible to make money in the music business even when you only have a relatively small number of fans. The article features the (to me at least) unknown singer / songwriters Kate Walsh and Tina Dico. The key apparently is financial independence: if you're in a deal with a major record company, selling 100,000 copies will bring you less money in royalties than you could get on your own label with a tenth of the sales.