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Abstract
The paper reviews the “celestial jukebox” model of digital music distribution in light of its recent transformation into “cloud”-based music services. Elaborating on a prior history of the celestial jukebox business model, the paper identifies continuities with services built around music portals, updates the legal and business strategies of the most popular cloud-based services, compares core functionalities of cloud-based services, and discusses the cultural significance of an international youth movement opposed to the celestial jukebox under various national “pirate parties.” It speculates that the pirate parties envision counter-reforms to global information policy that are culturally environmentalist in their worldview.
Acknowledgements
I thank the anonymous reviewers of this article for their recommendations and guidance.
Notes
[1] Of course, cut-rate devices connecting to the cloud via WiFi reduce the total expenditure considerably, as does populating one's cloud account with music ripped from pre-owned CDs or downloaded from cheaper online services. I thank Harris M. Berger for these observations.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Patrick Burkart
Patrick Burkart is an Associate Professor of Communication at Texas A&M University, author of Pirate Politics, and Editor of Popular Communication: The International Journal of Media and Culture.