Digital technology has become the bane of many content-providing companies. Recording companies have resorted to lawsuits and threats to keep music fans from illegally swapping music files over the Internet. Anti-piracy restrictions are attempting to thwart many of the advantages of new entertainment technologies, while also zapping the allure of products like digital video recorders.

But Apple Computer’s iTunes Music Store should serve as an example of how content providers can embrace new technology and expand their market reach. The music retailer, which sells digital downloads for 99 cents each, is selling more than 1.25 million songs a day. On Monday, Apple said it has sold more than 250 million songs since iTunes went online in April 2003. That’s tremendous growth that has captured a new audience.

If recording companies and movie studios were quicker to embrace change – and a little less willing to take their customers to court – they would be better situated to cash in on changing tastes without alienating fans.