“This country has not seen such acts of schoolboy savagery for many years. The violent and sadistic tendencies of these brothers grew unchecked over several years – leaving destruction and despair in their wake.

“The case raises serious questions about how children can be left to drift in homes seriously damaged by violence and neglect. Where families cannot give their children a decent start in life, the authorities need to act swiftly and robustly – both for their sake and the rest of society.”

Read about the Edlington case on the BBC website or The Times.

Now, for those of you unsure as to who, or what, Nine Inch Nails is, then here’s the answer: it’s an industrial rock act formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1988 by one Trent Reznor.

Effectively Reznor is Nine Inch Nails as he’s the only official member and he takes on the role of performer, songwriter and producer. When he performs live, he hires other artists to make up a live band, as well as employing spectacular stage effects.

Eclectic in musical forms, he arranges pieces that range freely across a number of genres, with electronic effects and processing at their heart.

Released via BitTorrent, the four Ghosts albums from Nine Inch Nails were released under the Creative Commons Attribution/Non-Commercial/Share Alike licence, which basically means free, within certain criteria.

To dwell on this a minute, you are allowed to download the music for free and then distribute, copy or perform the work, or to remix and make derivative works, only if: a. you attribute the work as specified by its author (without suggesting their approval, or their endorsement); b. you do it for non-commercial reasons (you may not use the music to make money); and, c. if you do play around with the music, you may only distribute it under the same terms as it was originally distributed.

Crucially, by an artist allowing free access to his work, he is maintaining a degree of control over his creative energies and the  subsequent product marketing. For many artists this has been an incredible empowerment and a major source of worry for the record companies who previously dominated at least the marketing process behind making music.

But for you, as the free user, there is almost a moral commitment to be worthy of the artist’s trust.

Of course, this is not a purely altruistic move from the artists. Many are now beginning to understand the finer points of online, guerilla and viral marketing. To put it simply, making a free download does not mean you decimate your sales and, on the contrary, can actually increase them. And Reznor, via his creative platform Nine Inch Tails, has proven this.

And the 64,000 dollar question is of course, why would someone pay for a download when they can get it for free?

There are a number of answers to this, the main being that fans realise that by coughing up some money, they are helping their beloved artist survive financially; not everyone knows what tracks are free at any given time; some people are unsure as to how to download free music without worrying about infringing laws; and, others have no idea where to access the free downloads. So, when it comes down to it, it’s fans willingness to pay for favourite artists and convenience.

And those artists that understand how to capture the hearts and minds of their fanbase with free downloads, are true exponents of guerilla marketing (whereby word-of-mouth recommendations do the selling for you).

So when it comes to downloading music from your favourite group, it might be worth checking it out if you can get it for free; legally of course.

The download chart is put together by The Official UK Charts Company and it does so on behalf of the music industry.

The chart monitors downloads within a week that goes from Sunday to Saturday. So as to avoid clashing with other charts, it is published on a Wednesday afternoon. It is quite strict as to what downloads it records, only recognising permanent digital downloads (PPD). These are single tracks which are downloaded from a non-subscription service provide by an online music store; cost a minimum of 40p and last no longer than ten minutes.

Downloads that come from monthly fee plan, where numerous tracks can be collected within the fee, do not count.

The chart is comparatively young, having been created in June 2006. It was an inevitable move, given that downloads, those that were legal of course, outnumbered sales of traditional discs for the first time in January 2005. It hasn’t changed and in the middle of 2005, the official UK Singles Chart included download sales for the first time. This was seen by any as a cynical move to obscure the dire nature of single sales which was making the chart almost obsolete.

Back to the download chart and the first ever number one was Bam Thwok from The Pixies. The longest download at the number one slot was Crazy by Gnarls Barkley which stayed up there for a cracking 11 weeks.

The number one downloads in 2008 kicked off with Apologize by Timbaland featuring One Republic, which quickly gave way after one week to Now You’re Gone by Basshunter.
The two longest serving tracks in 2008 were Mercy by Duffy which held up for five weeks and for the same duration, I Kissed a Girl by Kate Perry.
The chart finished with, unsurprisingly, Hallelujah by Alexandra Burke at top spot.

So there we have it, if you want to know who’s top of the pops when it comes to downloads, consult the UK Official Download chart.

Online music piracy is a crime and is one of the biggest challenges facing the music industry and music lovers everywhere.

While Napster is legal and safe, other unsecured music download platforms are illegal and are considered music piracy. Those who have pirated music in the past frequently did so because no better option was available. These internet users are simply looking for a way to listen to their favourite music without having to purchase whole albums at the shop.

In fact, most people who try music pirating download systems are disappointed with the results. Often their favourite songs are hard to find, the download times are lengthy, and frequently their songs are incomplete or mislabelled.

There is also growing concern about the risks that these unsecured music platforms pose in terms of viruses. With growing awareness of the threats of identity theft from Worms and Trojan Horses, computer users are reluctant to put their information in harms way.

Napster is One Solution

Quite different from the original, the new and very popular Napster offers legal music downloading software that provides listeners with musical freedom, while protecting the integrity of the music industry.

Working on the same principles of music-on-demand and unlimited listening, Napster provides members with access to millions of songs in a catalogue that grows every day. With a legal right to distribute and sell the music, Napster ensures that it is meeting the needs of everyone in the market.

Beyond the CD

Remember the days of tape cassettes? How about 8-tracks? Or records? The way that music is packaged and stored is constantly evolving. Now that music is available online, the music industry is also working hard to innovate and improve music delivery.

Although still very popular, CDs are being replaced with digital media solutions such as the versatile MP3 player. Products such as these allow music lovers to carry their favourite songs with them and create play lists to suit their mood quickly and easily.

Other Solutions

Another solution is the very popular advert free radio, which provides listeners with a wide variety of music without the annoyance of adverts. There are several providers for these stations and although some require the purchase of expensive equipment, others do not.

For example, Napster members have access to over 60 advert free radio stations as part of their membership. Even better than regular radio, these stations are interactive and provide listeners with the ability to customize them to their own tastes and preferences.

With things moving so fast, it is exciting to think about where the music industry is heading. One thing is for certain, Napster will be there ready and waiting, delivering the best music, the way listeners want to hear it.

Illegal and unsecured music download sites can appear to be a great source for free, pirated music. Unfortunately, these sites do more than harm the music industry they also pose dangerous threats to their own users.

As many people may remember, the original free music sharing system was also named Napster. Established before anyone knew how big it could get, this system quickly outgrew itself and was short lived.

In the early days, the original Napster served to remind people that music is more than a business, it is a passion. Music is about the artists and it is about the listeners. Napster allowed listeners to experience music the way they wanted – unlimited and on demand.

Learn How Napster Still Provides Unlimited Music On Demand. Safe and Legal.

Unfortunately, there are people in the world who will exploit every opportunity to do harm that they can. As a result illegal and unsecured music download sites are now a great risk to users and carriers of dangerous computer viruses.

Viruses and Trojan

Horses A Trojan Horse is a piece of software that users are tricked into installing on their own computers. It is common for those using unsecured music download programs to download the virus disguised as a music file or music download software.

The danger of Trojan Horses is that they will remain undetected in your computer system, downloading other dangerous programs on their own. Worse still, these viruses can also take your personal files and upload them onto the internet, sending passwords, credit card numbers, and other information that can be used in identity theft.

SpyWare

Another threat posed by unsecured music download sites and software, is the threat of spyware. Spyware is a type of program that is installed on your computer without your knowledge. It then collects information about you and your online activities, using your computer’s memory and sending the information to third parties.

Spyware can be used to steal passwords and personal data for the purpose of identity theft and other criminal activities. It is a dangerous type of programming that no one would willingly introduce into their systems.

The Solution

The solution is simple, unsecured music download software and sites are simply not worth the risk. Napster offers unlimited access to over 3 million songs and is secured against the threats of viruses and spyware. With 3 levels of service to choose from, Napster provides listeners with access to music the way they want it – Unlimited, Legal, and Safe.

In 1999 when the original Napster was first released it changed the music industry forever. Although relatively short-lived in its success, the original Napster did make way for several other forms of unregulated music downloading software.

Unlike the new Napster, which is legal and safe, other unsecured music download platforms are illegal and are considered music piracy. Music piracy is quite simply, the illegal copying and distributing of music.

How the Industry is Fighting Online Music Piracy

Concerned groups within the music industry have worked to educated the public about music piracy and the effect that it has on musicians and recording labels. The concept is very simply, if a musician sells only one album, and that album is then copied and distributed for free, the musician will not be able to make a living and they will have to stop recording music.

The music industry is also heavily active in lobbying governments around the world to create clearer legislation and stiffer penalties. In the past, music piracy has been fought primarily through lawsuits, but anti-piracy activists are now also seeking jail time and stiff fines.

It Does Not Just Hurt the Very Rich

Some people who pirate music will ease their guilt by believing that they are not hurting anyone. Looking at the glamorous lifestyle that rock stars lead, this can be easy to believe. Unfortunately, it is not only the very rich who are harmed by music piracy.

Music piracy steals from everyone within the music industry; from the music retailer, right up to the executive of the recording labels. Yet, one of the biggest concerns is the way that music piracy deprives the world of new musicians.

These young and up-and-coming stars do not have the support to stand strong in the face of piracy. When their pay cheques are stolen by music theft, many of them must seek other lines of work.

The World Wants a Better Way

Most people who try the online free song download systems are disappointed with the results. Often their favourite songs are hard to find, the download times are lengthy, and frequently their songs are incomplete or mislabelled.

There is also growing concern about the risks that these unsecured music platforms pose in terms of viruses and spyware. With growing awareness of the threats of identity theft from Worms and Trojan Horses, computer users are reluctant to put their information in harms way.

The Solution

The New Napster reconciles the benefits and challenges of the original. Napster is now successfully able to provide users with unlimited access to the music they love, from the comfort of their own home.

Better still, the New Napster’s music is 100% legal, which means that these songs are the high quality originals, protected from the threat of viruses and free of audio scars.

In 1999, Napster was created as a file sharing program by an American University student. The download software quickly gained popularity as a way to share and download free music. It is estimated that in the year 2000, 70 million registered users, around the world, were on the original Napster network.

The popularity the original Napster is attributed to the ability of users to listen to music on demand. Sitting at their computers, people were able to hear almost any song, from any band without having to purchase entire albums or head for a shop.

At the time, supporters of the original Napster argued that it was reviving the public’s interest in music and allowing people to experience new genres and tracks that they would otherwise never be exposed to. That is certainly a wonderful thing, to listen to music on demand and experience new artists every day.

The Challenges

Although very popular for a time, the original Napster was not without its challenges. Namely that it was insufficiently regulated and very illegal.

As the system grew, it became a target for viruses and other malware. Because it was not properly secured hackers were able to upload viruses disguised as music files. Users of the original Napster would then attempt to download a favourite song and inadvertently infect their computer with harmful viruses.

Another problem that became increasingly common on the original Napster was scarred music. A scarred music track is one that has been altered from its original form to play loud screeches or other unpleasant sounds. In most cases, the songs appeared normal until part way through. At this point, the unsuspecting listener would be subjected to audibly painful noises that could damage eardrums and speakers.

Finally, the most important challenge for the original Napster was that its use was illegal. The law is very clear that music and video piracy is theft, and this includes the various forms of illegal online distribution. After the short honeymoon period, Napster was sued in 1999 by the Recoriding Industry Association of America (RIAA) and then again in 2000 by the music legends Metallica and other artists such as Dr. Dre.

Although lawsuits bankrupted the original Napster, it did not stop online music piracy. Instead, spin offs and copy cats emerged. Morpheus, Kazaa, Gnutella, and Grokster are just a few of the attempts made to reclaim Napster’s initial popularity.

However, these new companies faced even more of the same problems that plagued the original Napster. Especially viruses and scarred music.

The Solution

The New Napster reconciles the benefits and challenges of the original. Napster is now successfully able to provide users with unlimited access to the music they love, from the comfort of their own home.

Better still, the New Napster’s music is 100% legal, which means that these songs are the high quality originals, protected from the threat of viruses and free of audio scars.