Ditch iTunes: Download From Fairshare
I recently decided to download some music. Having stuck devoutly to CDs since becoming an active music consumer (about 2007 I reckon), I had resisted downloads purely because I love nothing more than going into a record shop and physically browsing through the racks to find the good stuff.
However, I am also aware that downloading music saves the paper and plastic that the physical release uses and so, somewhat predictably, I headed to iTunes and selected my albums of choice. Since then, I have done some research online and looked at other legal download sites and have just found Fairshare Music. It harnesses the power of music to raise money for charity and I recommend to all.
Fairshare Music: Ethical Downloading
Brainchild of Lee Cannon and Jonny Woolf, whose experience of working on high-profile charity projects such as Live Aid and Amnesty’s Secret Policeman’s Ball showed them that music and fundraising go hand in hand. Fairshare Music was launched in June 2010 as a download site with a difference. Partnering with many of the country’s leading charities, including Oxfam, Greenpeace and Teenage Cancer Trust, the site combines legal music downloads with charitable giving.
With a huge music library and competitive prices, Fairshare Music is just like every other popular music download site – except for the unique fact that for every track you download, it donates half the profit to your chosen charity. It is a commercially-run social enterprise which makes money whilst providing its charity partners with a powerful, new fundraising platform. For me, it is a perfect example of how music can make a real difference but also stands as a sustainable and ethical business model which I would love to see replicated in other sectors.
Please, if you are a downloader of music, check out this site. With every track you buy, you will be happy in the knowledge that someone, somewhere will benefit from its purchase; and not just Apple, Amazon or any other of the industry leaders. For feel good downloads, head to Fairshare Music.
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1 Comment – Postiwch sylw
Tyezer
Rhoddwyd sylw 52 mis yn ôl - 19th January 2012 - 21:43pm
What a brilliant idea! I will check it out. I gave up on CDs a long time ago and downlad from e-music on a monthly subscription and I love it. Once you get over the fact that you don't have an up to date, super eclectic CD collection (to show off to your guests) you actually feel happier that it's better organised easy to access, good for the environment, saves on space and always with you digitally on your laptop or phone.