Music labels try online sales
By Nuan Bawi | Sunday, 27 October 2013The Myanmar Music Store is launching a new website on October 27, allowing music-lovers to finally purchase music online and legally.
A music fan tests out the new online site, Myanmar Music Store. Photo: Zarni Phyo
Industry experts said the music industry finally made the call after being plagued by piracy and receiving a massive drop in sales from illegal online downloads.
"While we are facing the difficulties of physical sales because of piracy, the practice of sharing through the internet continues to strike down the industry," Legacy Music Acadamy's managing director, U Ko Ko Lwin said. "We're taking the first measure to counter the drop in sales, but we are very late to do this in Myanmar."
U Ko Ko Lwin said the shoddy distribution of music was also part of the problem. He said when an album was released on CD, it was difficult to monitor what was being pirated and where.
"For example, it is sure that there is no shop selling CDs in towns like Kawkareik or Ya Me Thin," he said. "There's no better way to monitor the distribution system, so there is no meaning in punishing people who are copying the material," he said.
"So to make it easier for all of us, if there is an internet or a mobile phone, they can easily buy songs through our website."
U Ko Ko Lwin also said that artists who wanted to just sell singles could now do this via the online system.
"An option to buy singles is very convenient, not only for the producers but also for the singers," he explained.
"It's because some producers would like to test a new singer without producing one whole album. Then they can just test by releasing one song and seeing what the result is like."
Likewise, some older singers who want to re-launch their careers have the option of releasing a single at a time.
"That way, they can also keep in touch with their fans," U Ko Ko Lwin said.
But some musicians say the online store won't immediately take off in this country.
"I don't think this will work well because there are still places that we can download for free," hip- hop artist, Kyaw Htut Swe told The Myanmar Times. "If there is a place we can go and download without paying anything, everyone including me, will choose what they want to get for free. Only when we can clear all the free share websites, the online sales will be okay."
He has no plans to sell on the online store for now, he said.
The request to take down free- share websites has been lodged by Legacy Music to a number of sites.
"Mediafire has already taken down their site as a result of us sending a formal request letter," U Ko Ko Lwin said. "I hope the others follow suit."
U Ko Ko Lwin said he is confident about the uptake of sales online as there is a large market from Myanmar expats overseas.
But the site will be hosted separately for the local and international audiences, mainly due to copyright of cover songs by local artists (which will be available only in Myanmar) and processing of payments.
In Myanmar, four options for payment are being offered: Gift card, Ypay [like a bank payment with a code to enter upon purchase], SMS and phone billing are now available, while international buyers can pay via PayPal.
Fans can start purchasing music online from October 27, by visiting www.myanmarmusic store.com. For more information about payment options, visit www.facebook.com/myanmarmusicstore.
Source: http://www.news.myanmaronlinecentre.com/2013/10/27/music-labels-try-online-sales/
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