This article alerts reader to the fact that it has already been three years in which the recording industry has put forth a great effort to persuade music lovers to pay for online songs yet still illegal downloading is widespread and the overwhelming public sentiment is one of apathy. The article says that "s consortium of 6 retailers, including Best Buy Co. and Tower Records, is investing in online service Echo Networks Inc." The music retailers are at their ultimate low and are now considering to become allies with the technology that continues to destroy them.  Many music retailers are announcing plans to get "into the online music business."

This paper explores the online or digital distribution of music "as a technology practice" and suggests that this new phenomenon reinforces the "loose integration" of the entertainment industry. Also the paper gives a business background about recording industry conglomerates, ownership infrastructure and the gate-keepers for the global markets.

The downward spiral of record companies and the music industry as a result of downloading has made itself most evident in physical distribution. What best illustrates the failure of the struggle that music retailers are now finding themselves in, is the actual closing of stores that were successful and are backed by huge companies. An example being Best Buy Company which recently closed 110 Sam Goody and Suncoast music stores.

Tower Records is the music store with the most street buzz and star power.  It is able to call upon the biggest stars to do in-house performances for album oremiers, yet still this power-house retailer has not been able to escape thewrath of the music download. The article attributes the universal death of the record store to :"decreasing CD sales, the hit from online downloads, and growing competition from the likes of Amazon.com, as well as discounters such as Wal-Mart and Target..."