Building International Empires of Sound: Concentrations of Power and Property in the “Global” Music Market

Abstract

The merger of the recorded music divisions of Sony and BMG, finalized on August 5, 2004, created the world's largest music company while reducing the “Big Five” labels to the “Big Four.” The new goliath Sony BMG Music Entertainment will now control over 30% of the global music market. As power and resources were being consolidated in the music industry, regular amendments to the length of copyright terms were extending private ownership of creative works, delaying their passage into the public domain. This study analyzes how the world's media giants use their power and property to influence national and international laws in order to lock down culture and control creativity.

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