The author of this thesis believes the recording industry must recognize that we are in a quickly advancing technological age, and the methods they are currently using to combat piracy, are not quite advanced enough to keep up. A better solution to limiting piracy might lie in embracing the Internet and file sharing even more than the recording industry has thus far, and taking advantage of the Internet as a marketing and distribution tool. Maybe even uniting with software developers to produce physical media, which are harder to pirate, while also developing more legal file sharing networks and Internet sites which provide customers with user-friendly access and the copyrighted materials they desire, while still securing a profit. The recording industry might also want to make use of more studies and focus groups to assist it in its battle against online music piracy. Larger studies similar to this pilot study could greatly assist the RIAA in determining why individuals engage in online music piracy and what types of actions could entice them to refrain from such activities.

While the author believes the results from focus groups and research studies probably will not lead to an end-all solution, they could provide valuable information to the recording industry, which could assist it in the long run. For instance, this pilot study found there are individuals who felt they have been forced to attain music through illegal means, but probably could be won over if the right action was taken by the recording industry. Piracy is not going away, and it will most likely continue to exist and evolve in the near future.

While, today, there are few pirates like Edward “Blackbeard” Teach and Sir Francis Drake roaming the seas and attacking ships, the contemporary pirates of today certainly roam the Internet and file sharing networks, virtually doing the exact same thing. All in all, the author of this thesis believes the recording industry needs to be less focused on ending piracy, and become more focused on attempting to curb piracy. And studies and focus groups similar to the ones used in this pilot study could definitely serve as an important stepping stone.