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In Japan artists have already written off getting money from their recordings. Sure there is a trickle from the overseas sales (very little) and a bit more from airplay plus (for composers only) a trifle more from sheet music and live performance. A yen or two from karaoke. The groups make all of their money from live performances and selling merchandise. They use the free distribution of their music as a drawing card.
In the UK Prince recently gave away his latest CD as a free insert to a major newspaper. (This did result in many music stores dumping his entire catalog.)
In the US, some years ago, the Grateful Dead -- a wonderful touring band -- encouraged their fans to record their concerts and give them to others. Their fans -- called Dead Heads -- recorded almost every concert they performed.
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