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SpiralArchitect

//discussion relocated from another thread...

Im curious, what is everyones position on free music (as in over P2P networks, etc.)?

I am against it, although these 'musical' 'artists' are often corrupted by the money - I could care less if they gain a cocaine addiction, and drive a Porsche, I'm going to enjoy the music for musics sake - stealing from them is NOT going to help these ridiculous CD prices.

The reason the prices are so high is because of piracy.

The only reason CDs were almost 20 dollars years and years ago is because it was a relativey new technology. 17-20 dollars for a CD?!? Yes, it is outrageous, but does that mean you must steal it?

I don't know about you guys but I only listen to music that is worth my time, and if it is worth my time- its worth my money.

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GreatGatsby

Ok. Well what about libraries? I know my library has a HUGE collection of CD's, and i'm sure there are plenty of libraries in your area that do the same. That is the source of all the music I get (besides CD's I buy), and I don't burn them, simply put them on my computer for my personal enjoyment. The library did pay for them, and I pay for the library, so is anyone at fault here? And how is what I do any different from using bittorrent or kazaa to get them?

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troublemaker_42

Actually, it wasn't "years and years" ago that prices were reaching the $20 point. If you haven't noticed, the price has been going DOWN on CDs, not UP, even with, or actually BECAUSE, of illegal downloading. Retailers are finally begining to understand that in order to compete, things need to change. Why is it that practically every CD released these days has some sort of "gimmick"? For example, look at the number of CDs that include concert footage DVDS, or access codes for "exclusive" tracks available over the internet. These are all part of the industry's attempt to steer people away from downloading, along with price cuts. It has nothing to do with "old technology" vs. "new technology" That explains the inital high price of CDS, but not the steady rise in prices that followed years after they were intorduced. it was only when dl'ing became an issue that companies started trying to give customers an actual value for their hard earned money.....it was cooperate greed that turned many away from retail music sales to illegal downloading. Its no one's fault, except the industry istelf of course, that downloaidng has become an accecptable alternative to buying music. had they not raped the pocketbooks of music fans repeatedly and aggressively, they may have a more loyal customer base. Instead, the industry turned its back on the fans at a vital moment, and only now are trying to earn them back, which, sadly, isn't going to happen overnight once people have goten used to the idea of "free" music

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klepto

My opinion of downloading is this:
Most of my favorite bands were discovered via internet downloading. I discover a new band i like, then go out and buy their cd if i feel they have earned my money (which is often). Over half of my cd library wouldn't be there were it not for downloading, so it has actually contributed to the industry.

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troublemaker_42

agreed.....a lot of the music i listen to simply isn't played on Mtv or the radio. In order to determine whether or not I care for an artist shouldn't cost me 15 bucks. Downloading helps me sample a wide variety of music, so I can sift through it and PURCHASE music by artists I actually enjoy/respect.

And then, theres the issue of rare/hard to find tracks......sometimes, DLing them is the only way to get them. Take NIN...their album "Pretty Hate Machine' hasn't been published in awhile because of a dispute with the record company. i've looked through many local and even regional shops, and couldn't find it.....so I downloaded it.

 

Yoda

My opinion about piracy is this: you are not buying the cd, record, tape etc... you are buying the right to own the music. In the '70's my father bought a Pink Floyd album. When napster first came out he downloaded several of those songs again onto his computer. Does that make him a theif? Absolutely not. At one point he paid for the right to own that music, which makes that music eternally his. Did he steal it? No, he paid for it and was simply claiming a product that was legally his. Im sure many people over thirty who have used napster or a similar program have had similar experiences where they have been accused of piracy when really they didnt do anything illegal.

troublemaker_42

Thats an interesting point, and one I've also considered myself. I've dl'ed several albums that I once upon a time owned on cassette tape....including the NIN album mentioned above. The artist recieved royalties from the orignal album I purchased....why should they be entitled to more just because technology has advanced? i spent literally thousands of dollars on my music collection over the years....I think I've helped the industry to a much greater degree than I've ever damaged it.

klepto

I remember when the napster controversy was in full swing...there was a statistic that napster users purchase 3 times more music than non-napster users. Obviously not hurting the industry..

Colonelcorn

I download music. I download whole cds and whole discographies, and I do not feel guilty. I do not own any cds, not one. Artists get a small percent of cd earnings anyway. The big money comes from touring. As long as music is availible online, I will download it.

great1dwo420

[/quote spiral Architect]The only reason CDs were almost 20 dollars years and years ago is because it was a relativey new technology. 17-20 dollars for a CD?!? Yes, it is outrageous, but does that mean you must steal it?[/quote]

No wrong again dude Cd's/movies cost so much because you pay everyone that had anything to do with the album/movie. Look at the very back of cd see all those names they all got a piece of your $20.00!! The artist that you really bought the album for is really only getting 1 ta 2 dollars from the 20 so f*ck that I'll download instead of helping the rich get richer!

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