The harsh reality of the new digital world order has hit the major record labels. While fans have been passing around illegal copies of songs via the mp3 format over the internet the major labels have watched from the side lines refusing to get into digital download distribution in a major way. All the while the record industries trade organization, the RIAA, has been busy suing or sending cease and desist letters to sites that offer downloads to fans. This has all affected the record companies bottom line. Now they are all jumping on the bandwagon one by one announcing plans to offer digital downloadable singles for sale on the web this year.

The world of digital music is about to change fundamentally. Make no mistake this is a major news item. As record companies adopt technology to prevent fans from making digital copies of cd audio tracks through a process called ripping, they will delve into the world of eCommerce by selling singles in a digital format online. 

Universal Records the worlds largest label was the first to announce plans of going digital. By the end of the year Universal plans to offer fans the ability to purchase and download music online. They will be using as yet unnamed copy protection technology.

Last week BMG threw their hats into the ring by announcing that they too will begin offering singles for sale via digital download in June. BMG's roster includes artist like Britney Spears, Santana, Puff Daddy and 'N Sync all taylor made for the singles market. 

So the race is on. After collectively dragging their feet for over a year the industry is now in a hurry to get their music online for sale as digital downloads first. Sony is expected to announce today (4-10) plans to offer up 50 downloadable singles starting this month according to a report in the April 7th Wall Street Journal. 

What does this all mean? It means that the music market place is about to change. It will take sometime for standards for copy protection to emerge and a price point that is acceptable to the labels and still attractive to the fans to be reached. But it does look like the record industry is entering the 21st Century at long last.

the Freak is a new Staff writer for antiMUSIC