I don't understand what you mean by brands being hard to reproduce. cf. fake Rolexes... except at least Rolex still has the vanity element of the purchase going for it (ie. people would RATHER pay ten grand for a timepiece).
But in a way it's a shame for the labels, because while obviously there role as gatekeepers and distributors has been usurped, they do have extensive back catalogs which should now be more lucrative than ever due to the enhanced availability. Whereas before shops could only stock so many records, so most of the back catalog languished in obscurity or mail-order catalogs, nowadays it's on an almost equal footing with new releases. This was music the labels invested in and nourished for decades, but unfortunately due to the effects of piracy (including the white-flag cooperation with Spotify), they won't be able to harvest the fruits of their labour.
As for the artists themselves, frankly I think music is going to suffer. For established acts it might mean more freedom, and for fans more music, but the risk-reward relationship has been all messed up hence why despite having double the population we have nowhere near the quantity of great young songwriters launching careers as we did in the 60s. The 'get rich, be a star' allure has evaporated, replaced with the ordeal of American Idol / X Factor.
But in a way it's a shame for the labels, because while obviously there role as gatekeepers and distributors has been usurped, they do have extensive back catalogs which should now be more lucrative than ever due to the enhanced availability. Whereas before shops could only stock so many records, so most of the back catalog languished in obscurity or mail-order catalogs, nowadays it's on an almost equal footing with new releases. This was music the labels invested in and nourished for decades, but unfortunately due to the effects of piracy (including the white-flag cooperation with Spotify), they won't be able to harvest the fruits of their labour.
As for the artists themselves, frankly I think music is going to suffer. For established acts it might mean more freedom, and for fans more music, but the risk-reward relationship has been all messed up hence why despite having double the population we have nowhere near the quantity of great young songwriters launching careers as we did in the 60s. The 'get rich, be a star' allure has evaporated, replaced with the ordeal of American Idol / X Factor.
spare the rants about labels ripping of artists