Are you an evil MP3 downloader?

[Mickey's Monkey]

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.

And you can go to a Tower Records, Silver Platters, or Virgin Records and listen to all the content for free. I'm not sure your point.

 

[chadfromdallas]

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

No, but her/his post was obvious enough posted to be a little scary. I was just pointing out an observation of my own

 

[Beauty]

Jenn,

Really! Wow I definatly wouldn't mind $6 or $9. Around here they are usually closer to $18!! This is horrible to admit, it really is but I won't download religious music without paying for it. I know, I know like there is a difference...thats so wrong of me!! I bought my Casting Crowns CD. Thats pathetic, I know!!

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

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.

Napster has deals with music providers today. It's no longer illegall to download from Napster, as far as I understand. I'm paying them for a subscription service. I rather doubt they are charging me for the privilege of stealing music.

 

[chadfromdallas]

This is horrible to admit, it really is but I won't download religious music without paying for it.

 

[WDWHound]

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

I have to agree, there is no difference except that you are not depriving the record company of a sale because the material is no longer sold (or may never have been sold). However, just like I was, you are violating the copyright when you download from an unauthorized site.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Napster has deals with music providers today. It's no longer illegall to download from Napster, as far as I understand. I'm paying them for a subscription service. I rather doubt they are charging me for the privilege of stealing music.

I have never paid for Napster.

 

[JoeThaNo1Stunna]

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

Yes, I think young people are more prone to this. #1. They (we) have much less money than our older counterparts, and #2. Younger people tend to have a greater passion for music. Put those two factors together and you can see why this is the case.

Another point is that while most kids I know who download know that it is technically illegal to download, they see nothing wrong with doing it. It is kind of like a law that everyone violates, sort of like speeding.

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

Odd... I only pay for Black Sabbath, Ozzy Ozborne, and Marilyn Manson music.

 

[MouseClubMom]

No way. I work in the music industry and this is THE hot topic of all time. Granted I do get most of the music I want for free from the record labels but anything I cant get that way I get from Itunes. .99 a song isn't bad!

How would you like it if someone stole from you? Contrary to popular belief it is NOT the artist that causes the price of albums to be so high but the record labels. The artists get basically the same amount of money if you pay $9.99 for a CD or $18.99. If you are unhappy with the rising costs of CDs then fire off a letter to Sony or Warner Brothers but don't blame the artist!

Climbing down off my soapbox now and putting my flameproof suit on! Fire away!

 

[WDWHound]

Jenn,

This is horrible to admit, it really is but I won't download religious music without paying for it.

LOL You just made my day.

 

[chadfromdallas]

It is kind of like a law that everyone violates, sort of like speeding.

Ohh, good one!

 

[Mickey's Monkey]

I have never paid for Napster.

Odd. Please show me, from the Napster site, http://www.napster.com/

How I can download music without a subscription?

If you are referring to the old Napster, then I see your point. Today, I don't see how I can download music from Napster for "free"

 

[PrincessTeddyBear]

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

I would just like to say that not all people under 30 or even those under 23 download music illegally.

 

[WDWHound]

Another point is that while most kids I know who download know that it is technically illegal to download, they see nothing wrong with doing it. It is kind of like a law that everyone violates, sort of like speeding.

So stealing is like speeding? Thats interesting. I think I'll go knock over a liquer store and encourage my friends to do so as well. After all, if enough people do it, it will become like speeding, which must make it right.

 

[WDWHound]

I would just like to say that not all people under 30 or even those under 23 download music illegally.

Sorry, I was painting with to broad a brush. You are of course correct.

 

[chadfromdallas]

Just a quick note to explain my attitude in this. As a programmer who has had his software pirated (the EXACT same thing as illegal MP3 pirating), I have personally lost money to this sort of activity.

I'm willing to bet you've probably lost more money to freeware that can do the same for free.

I've noticed that if you look hard enough, there is a freeware program out there for whatever you want/need done.

There is a good list on this thread if anyone is needing one:

http://forums.anandtech.com/messageview.aspx?catid=33&threadid=997283&enterthread=y

 

[locomania]

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).

Aha, the truth will out!

Can someone answer me this; if I decide to download every album that I have bought and paid for on vinyl, so that I can put them onto cd's to play in the car, am I still breaking the law? Considering I've already paid for the copyright when I originally bought them..

 

[PrincessTeddyBear]

Yes, I think young people are more prone to this. #1. They (we) have much less money than our older counterparts, and #2. Younger people tend to have a greater passion for music. Put those two factors together and you can see why this is the case.

Another point is that while most kids I know who download know that it is technically illegal to download, they see nothing wrong with doing it. It is kind of like a law that everyone violates, sort of like speeding.

I am what I guess you would consider someone young and I will not download music illegally. I have a passion for music but if I can't afford it at the time I want it, than I'm not going to get it. It's the same thing as walking into a store and eating a bag of chips and than setting it down again. You might be hungry and at the time you might not be able to afford the chips but you can't wait.

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Odd. Please show me, from the Napster site, http://www.napster.com/

How I can download music without a subscription?

If you are referring to the old Napster, then I see your point. Today, I don't see how I can download music from Napster for "free"

I have no idea.

It's been on my computer for about 5 years...I've never removed the old program before this was even an issue. It still works. You probably can't still get it...

I still have the old Kazaa lite program too. I use them very infrequently, maybe once all year to look for a weird remix of an anime theme...