Does the emergence of the digital download signal the end for the music industry?

The emergence of the digital download is does not signal the end of the music industry, in many ways it is helping the music industry. Since its first launch in 2003 to 2010 the iTunes music store has had 10 billion downloads. Digital downloads have become more convenient for the consumer, large amounts of music can be carried on a small device such as an ipod. The music industry is worried because it has become possible to steal music online with emergence of file sharing. But file sharing can actually help the artist e.g. in July 2000 tracks form Radioheads upcoming album Kid A were leaked out onto Napster and downloaded by millions of people 3 months before the albums release. Radiohead did not release any singles or videos to promote the album but it still shot to number 1 in the UK and US album charts. It was the first time they had a number 1 in the US.