ABSTRACT
The music industry embraces a range of institutions and associated markets: the recording companies (my main focus in this chapter) and the retail sector, producing and selling recordings in their various formats; the music press; music hardware, including musical instruments and sound recording and reproduction technology; merchandising (posters, t-shirts, etc.); and royalties and rights and their collection or licensing agencies. These facets are increasingly under the ownership/control of the same parent company, enabling the maximum exploitation of a particular product/performer.
