Are you an evil MP3 downloader?

[chadfromdallas]

I dont find the phenomenon funny and I definitely view it as a crime which hurts not only record companies (I know, you probably think they deserve it) but the artists who record for them.

I don't think they deserve it, but its not hurting them to the point where they are going bankrupt anytime soon, that is for sure.

That $6 bottle of water and the many $50 tickets to concerts I've gone to will be covering my mp3 downloading

 

[WDWHound]

Yeah...I wont lie. I LOVE Ares!

So, I assume when you go to a book store and see a book you want, you simply steal it?

 

[WDWHound]

I don't think they deserve it, but its not hurting them to the point where they are going bankrupt anytime soon, that is for sure.

That $6 bottle of water and the many $50 tickets to concerts I gone to will be covering my mp3 downloading

I love the wonderful world of rationalization. Gee, I'm only stealing a little bit, not enough to hurt them!

And if you find the concert too expensive, don't go.

 

[Papa Deuce]

So, I assume when you go to a book store and see a book you want, you simply steal it?

I know what you are saying, but somewhat a bad analogy. You can go to Barnes and Noble and read all the content for free, and as long as you don't need a hard copy, the writers and publishers still get zilch.

But I do know what you are saying.

 

[Charade]

This could be interesting... (gets popcorn and pulls up the comfy chair)

 

[Beauty]

That $6 bottle of water and the many $50 tickets to concerts I've gone to will be covering my mp3 downloading

Believe it or not that makes a lot of sense to me. I have downloaded illegally in the past when Kazaa was running. Lately I can't find any sights that are working correctly so I do pay for them on ITunes. I do think its wrong in some ways but I also see alot wrong with the music industry and the extremly overpriced concerts, CDs etc. I'm not trying to rationalize what I do and would probably do again if I knew a good sight, but I will admit it, I'll also admit to feeling a bit guilty for doing it.

I'm NOT PERFECT, FAR FROM IT!

 

[WDWHound]

I know what you are saying, but somewhat a bad analogy. You can go to Barnes and Noble and read all the content for free, and as long as you don't need a hard copy, the writers and publishers still get zilch.

But I do know what you are saying.

Good point. Another good example would be libraries. Both of these examples are legal, but cost artists money. However, in both cases, the product is not yours to keep.

 

[ladycollector]

I download MP3's, but I pay 99cents a piece for them!

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

Yes, I download MP3s for free. Out of all of the kids I know, I know about 50 who download music, and only one actually pays for it.

I think that the vast majority of people who pay for online music are those 30+, the percentage of those under 23 who download legally has to be welllll below 10%.

 

[WDWHound]

Believe it or not that makes a lot of sense to me. I have downloaded illegally in the past when Kazaa was running. Lately I can't find any sights that are working correctly so I do pay for them on ITunes. I do think its wrong in some ways but I also see alot wrong with the music industry and the extremly overpriced concerts, CDs etc. I'm not trying to rationalize what I do and would probably do again if I knew a good sight, but I will admit it, I'll also admit to feeling a bit guilty for doing it.

I'm NOT PERFECT, FAR FROM IT!

Have you ever tried any of the legal services like ITunes or Music Match?

 

[WDWHound]

Yes, I download MP3s for free. Out of all of the kids I know, I know about 50 who download music, and only one actually pays for it.

I think that the vast majority of people who pay for online music are those 30+, the percentage of those under 23 who download legally has to be welllll below 10%.

And why is that? Are the young somehow more open to commiting theft?

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Primarily I download legally, but there is just some really obscure stuff I like that is not available/or out of print so I get that off of Napster or whatever.

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

Well, they aren't losing any business from me downloading. I never liked buying CDs for two or three good songs, so I wouldn't have bought them anyways

This is my only argument for downloading

You know that, how? I guess by the same logic, movie theatres aren't losing any business if I sneak into a movie. Automakers are losing any business if I steal just one car from one of the thousands of dealerships throughout the world. Authors aren't losing business if I just steal a book from on of the thousands of bookstores throughout the world. Software makers aren't losing any business if I happen to steal a copy of Turbo Tax from Costco. Game makers aren't losing any business if I happen to steal a PS2 game from my local Best Buy. Do you do all those things, too? If not, why not?

 

[missypie]

I receive a daily email of all of the cases filed in the Dallas state and federal courts the previous day. About every other week, the record companies sue two or three individuals for illegal downloading.

 

[PrincessTeddyBear]

I do think its wrong in some ways but I also see alot wrong with the music industry and the extremly overpriced concerts, CDs etc.

I do agree that concerts are overpriced though I did find going through bands charity auctions for concerts was great - it was a tax write off, I got to see the bands, and I was helping out a good cause at the same time.

If you look on the pre-release section on iTunes you can get full albums really cheap - I've gotten them for as little as 5.99. I also search Target on days that albums are scheduled to be released. A lot of times they come out at 8.99 and than jump up to the 13 something they normally are.

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

Primarily I download legally, but there is just some really obscure stuff I like that is not available/or out of print so I get that off of Napster or whatever.

If you get it off Napster today you are not getting it illegally.

 

[chadfromdallas]

I receive a daily email of all of the cases filed in the Dallas state and federal courts the previous day. About every other week, the record companies sue two or three individuals for illegal downloading.

The cases I've seen lean more to the people sharing, rather than just downloading.

 

[WDWHound]

Primarily I download legally, but there is just some really obscure stuff I like that is not available/or out of print so I get that off of Napster or whatever.

That brings up a whole angle. After all my rants, I will admit I download some really obscure stuff only after i have made sure it is not available commercially in any form. Then, I have to keep an eye out for it becoming available commercially and buy it if it does. When Disneyland came out with its recordings of attractions a few years ago at the park (you bought them a kiosks in the park which bured you CD for you) I had to dump a lot of money into making my collection legal.

Even so, I have pretty much quit doing this as it is still illegal. It might not be crime that cost anyone any money, but I am still violating the right of the copyright holder. Besides, I can listen to most of this stuff legally on Live 365 (which pays the same fees that radio stations pay).

 

[EsmeraldaX]

If you get it off Napster today you are not getting it illegally.

Yes. I am.

I do it once in a while for lame stuff like the theme songs to old 80's cartoons, really old obscure songs and things like the Disneyland monorail voice.

Real songs, I get off ITunes.

 

[Charade]

The cases I've seen lean more to the people sharing, rather than just downloading.

Is there a difference if the site is not authorized to distribute? No, there isn't.