It's only stealing if the artist cares whether or not you steal from them. If the artist doesn't care if you steal their stuff and actually encourages people to spread their music via downloading, file-sharing, blogs, etc. then where is the crime?
I would say the majority of artists today, especially those with an art-first mentality, embrace the downloading movement because of the major increase in exposure.
Those of you who state that it is flat-out stealing don't understand the synergy between the internet and the music industry and the way the industry has changed for the better as a result. Downloading/internet exposure is the key to success for unknown artists in today's industry.
Originally posted by darvlaySo you are basing this on anecdotal evidence and your assumption that the person's music you are downloading doesn't care??
It's only stealing if the artist cares whether or not you steal from them. If the artist doesn't care if you steal their stuff and actually encourages people to spread their music via downloading, file-sharing, blogs, etc. then where is the crime?
I would say the majority of artists today, especially those with an art-first mentality, embrace the downloa ...[text shortened]... Downloading/internet exposure is the key to success for unknown artists in today's industry.
I agree that if the artist distributes his/her music freely, then it is not stealing. But unless you know it explicitly, you can not just assume that they do.
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Originally posted by darvlayI don't entirely agree with you. It is stealing if you use torrent sites to gain illegal copies of copyrighted music/films/games and others.
It's only stealing if the artist cares whether or not you steal from them. If the artist doesn't care if you steal their stuff and actually encourages people to spread their music via downloading, file-sharing, blogs, etc. then where is the crime?
I would say the majority of artists today, especially those with an art-first mentality, embrace the downloa Downloading/internet exposure is the key to success for unknown artists in today's industry.
There is perhaps a separate issue of downloading music for free in a promotional way.
The real losers in this debate are the small time musicians who depend on record sales to keep their contracts with record producers. Take away a portion of sales away from them, and though they continue to get their name out there and heard, they lose their contract as the record company base the success of the band on chart position and numbers of sales.
Now, this is not going to trouble the big bands and artists of the world as it can be a drop in the ocean in financial terms - and indeed Radiohead and Coldplay can release tracks or even albums for free, safe in the knowledge that the increased listenership will result in a more profitable arena tour (which is where the big money is made)
There are always people to profit from making their work free, but I am sure that the majority suffer from illegal downloading.
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Originally posted by MrHandPretty much. However, I don't condone simply downloading everything, never buying albums or never going to shows unless, of course, you're flat broke. Being a collector of albums and a lover of the CD/LP format, I buy albums that I have downloaded and enjoyed repeatedly. I also go to shows, so I am putting money into the pockets of the artist.
So you are basing this on anecdotal evidence and your assumption that the person's music you are downloading doesn't care??
I agree that if the artist distributes his/her music freely, then it is not stealing. But unless you know it explicitly, you can not just assume that they do.
I guess my point is that it's certainly not a black and white issue. There is a huge benefit to artists to have people download and share their albums along with the consequential financial hit on (supposed) lowered CD sales. Exposure versus a little bit of extra money in CD sales. Given that the money artists receive from CD sales compared to other sources of income is so lopsided, the choice for exposure is almost a given, especially since exposure will lead to more people at shows, more publicity and even (gasp) more record sales.
Originally posted by HindsteinI agree, those people are the losers in this debate. But that is where the industry must change with the times and start to recognize that the modus operandi of signing twenty garbage acts to the label with the hopes that one will be a mainstream/MTV star with the other nineteen being casualties of the business needs to change.
The real losers in this debate are the small time musicians who depend on record sales to keep their contracts with record producers. Take away a portion of sales away from them, and though they continue to get their name out there and heard, they lose their contract as the record company base the success of the band on chart position and numbers of sales.
The internet proved to be a career saver for bands like Spoon and Wilco whose labels left them for dead based on record sales and company profitability because those bands, if I can use a cliche here, took care of the rock and the rock took care of them.
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Originally posted by jlillyOK, take it to another extreme. Why buy clothes, just steal them. The mark up on retail clothing is 200% anyway. And no need to buy food, just steal it. Heck it grows free on the trees or runs wild in the fields, right? No need to buy gas...it is way overpriced. Just siphon away. Of course, you won't mind if a few of the guys and me come over to your house nightly and take whatever we want.
Why pay $80+ for cable TV when I can download every possible HBO/Showtime/etc show on earth?
Piracy will help you do gooders because eventually cable companies, hollywood, music companies, etc will lower their prices.
Because of my diligent downloading. And millions upon millions of others.
We HELP you. Smile.
A thief is someone who takes illegal possession of someone else's goods or work product without paying for it or trading something of equivilent value to the owner, if the owner agrees. YOU are a thief. PERIOD. Paint the picture any way you like, but the fact remains that if you went before the judge in a courtroom, you would lose 100 times out of a hundred.
Originally posted by shortcircuitWhat are you talking about if I went in front of a judge? HA! Good one!
O Paint the picture any way you like, but the fact remains that if you went before the judge in a courtroom, you would lose 100 times out of a hundred.
I successfully fought off a piracy case when I was at UCLA. I got caught and was forced by the RIAA to settle $1416.52 or go to court.
I chose court.
And I f***** won.
End of story.
Originally posted by shortcircuitThose examples are completely different and you know it. Tool.
OK, take it to another extreme. Why buy clothes, just steal them. The mark up on retail clothing is 200% anyway. And no need to buy food, just steal it. Heck it grows free on the trees or runs wild in the fields, right? No need to buy gas...it is way overpriced. Just siphon away. Of course, you won't mind if a few of the guys and me come over to your ho ...[text shortened]... s that if you went before the judge in a courtroom, you would lose 100 times out of a hundred.
Originally posted by darvlayTrue....especially when you consider the fact that most independant radio stations have been bought by the major record labels to control which new bands get air time.
It's only stealing if the artist cares whether or not you steal from them. If the artist doesn't care if you steal their stuff and actually encourages people to spread their music via downloading, file-sharing, blogs, etc. then where is the crime?
I would say the majority of artists today, especially those with an art-first mentality, embrace the downloa ...[text shortened]... Downloading/internet exposure is the key to success for unknown artists in today's industry.
Originally posted by jlillyGot any proof of that 'claim'?
What are you talking about if I went in front of a judge? HA! Good one!
I successfully fought off a piracy case when I was at UCLA. I got caught and was forced by the RIAA to settle $1416.52 or go to court.
I chose court.
And I f***** won.
End of story.
Show us.
Newspaper articles will do.
Originally posted by jlillyYou've been to college?
What are you talking about if I went in front of a judge? HA! Good one!
I successfully fought off a piracy case when I was at UCLA. I got caught and was forced by the RIAA to settle $1416.52 or go to court.
I chose court.
And I f***** won.
End of story.
Judging by your posts, I thought you were maybe 14 years old--at the most.