The FINANCIAL — CDs and DVDs have become extremely unpopular in Tbilisi. Music Shop owners say that people are no longer buying music CDs anymore. Piracy websites, supported by internet providers, make it impossible to fight the download of unlicensed music files. People prefer not to pay for music as they can listen to it for free on their personal computer.
“I’m haven’t been buying music CDs from stores for quite a long time. I will not spend money on CDs as I have the opportunity to download music for free,” said Beqa Gamtsemlidze, 21.
“In Georgia no one remembers whether CD or DVD stores even exist anymore. I think it’s stupid to pay money for CDs when the internet offers a wide choice of all styles of music,” said Gvanca Sutidze, 23.
“When visiting stores I only buy empty DVDs and CDs. I download music and films from the internet and I don’t think it’s necessary to pay money for music that you can get for free. I don’t think anyone still buys CDs from traditional stores now,” said Teona Gabunia, 19.
According to CD and DVD store owners, for the last 2 years people have significantly decreased buying CDs and DVDs.
“I can say that demand for CD and DVD sales has disappeared. Piracy and free internet downloads have killed music sales. If music downloads monetize their websites and charge the downloads, then CD stores may conceivably become popular again,” said Merab Shayurashvili, General Director of Studio Tbilisi.
“For the last 2-3 years demand for CDs has decreased. I cannot name any of the most demanded songs or singers’ CDs. People have stopped visiting us,” said Shakurashvili.
Caucasus Online, one of the leading internet providers in Georgia, involved in a long-running conflict with United Telecom Georgia, openly provides free access to thousands of digital music files. The company operates websites offering the free download of music and video.
Music companies worldwide are adapting to a new revenue model. They offer consumers online music stores and more choice. But in Georgia companies have not managed to organize the online market sufficiently to fight piracy. There is no single website in Georgia providing authorized music for sale.
According to CD+ store owner, Maia Gergedava, they are going to be closed next week. Due to low demand, the store is no longer able to exist.
“Our store has existed for 2 years. We have a small place in the centre of Tbilisi, but our expenses are much more than our CD and DVD sales, so we have to close. The main enemy of CD sales is piracy and internet downloads. While everyone has the opportunity to download music and films from the internet for free, CD stores will see less demand,” Gergedava said.
“The demand for CD sales decreased by about 50% compared to last year. A licensed CD or DVD costs 20 GEL, so why would a person visit a shop to buy it when they have the opportunity to download from the internet for free. There should be some restrictions for using the internet and getting free downloads. If downloading music from the internet would cost even 1 GEL, people would start visiting stores. Music CDs cost GEL 10, so they would pay this sum, since downloading 10 songs from the internet would have the same price,” said Roman Sakhltkhutsishvili, representative of Orbita CD and DVD store.
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