Even though file-sharing applications like Napster and Scour Exchange have millions of registered users, the music business is still booming. Not only that, but the business is in fact on the rise. To top it all off, these statistics were released by our good friends at the Recording Industry Association Of America.

Shipments of CDs in the United States are up six percent, to an all-time high of 420 million units during the first half of this year. This puts CDs at 86% of the total music purchasing market.

Could this increase in CD sales be attributed to people "sampling" music on MP3 before they buy an album? The RIAA doesn't think so. They say the music sales are driven largely by a healthy market and the unprecedented success of several young artists.

"Despite the excitement felt by music lovers and record companies alike over the positive potential of the Internet, for the time-being, loyalty to the physical product remains as is evident by these midyear shipment numbers," said Hilary Rosen, president and CEO of the RIAA. "CDs will be around for a long time."

I have a feeling that digital music will be around for a long time too. You can quote me on that.