The column "Music lovers deserve free market of songs" Oct. 30 failed to acknowledge the consequences of free music and the music industry's suffering. The music industry employees are paid for their effort to bring the public music. Without these people, music would not be able to be distributed. Consumers are the only way the artists and industry employees obtain their paychecks.

It works the same way as when a company's clients do not pay the company for the services provided to them. If enough money is lost, there is downsizing. These employees work just as much and as hard as anyone else will. Music is an art form, but it is also a business.

That is the reason why labels must layoff their employees and why amazing artists are getting dropped from labels because their records don't sell. Everything comes at a price.

Anne Gerkovich

senior-communication arts and sciences