Much discussion and confusion is swirling around eBay's announcement that it will set up a music download store. Part of the confusion derives from the common (and inaccurate) generalization that eBay is a used-item clearinghouse. The global flea market angle is only part of eBay's story. Huge amounts of new merchandise are moved through eBay's pages, either via auction formats or "But It Now" sales. Music downloads will definitely not cater to "used" song files—if the term used can even be applied to a digital file.

eBay's initiative is therefore both less important than one might suppose (if you hope for a used-file marketplace), and more important (if you're an independent artist). Time will tell how elegantly eBay implements its download store—the site can hardly be called elegant in any other department. But if it offers a level playing field for all content owners, major labels and indies alike, a new global marketplace might indeed be started. There are many places where an indie label or single musician can place music, but none of them have the clout or magnetism of the eBay domain. Keep your eye on this thing. It could get interesting.