Music Labels Will Regret Coming for the Internet Archive, Sound Historian Says
The Internet Archive's preservation of old 78s has sparked a heated debate between music labels and the platform. Music labels are seeking to limit the project's scope, citing the availability of similar recordings on streaming services. However, experts argue that these recordings face significant risks of being lost or forgotten due to their rarity and lack of commercial availability.
- The value of the Internet Archive lies not in its ability to provide convenient access to music but in its role as a guardian of historical sound archives.
- Will the preservation of this sonic heritage be sacrificed for the sake of convenience, and if so, what are the long-term consequences for our cultural identity?