The major 4 music labels today are "fucked". Digital music pricing has been a scam where the consumer pays for manufacturing, distribution, and does all the work - and still has to pay more. Labels should outsource everything except finance and licensing. But he's also optimistic that for almost everyone else - indie labels, musicians, songwriters and budding entrepreneurs - as well as network providers - the future's going to be pretty bright. The Big 4 know that the DRM era is nearly over - and within 2 or 3 years, "most countries" in the world will have a blanket licensing regime where we exchange music freely, for a couple of quid a month.