OK - technology is what it is, and it is very easy to make a copy of a cd from a friend, from P2P networks, etc. That said - just because it's easy, doesn't make it right. When I pass a supermarket after closing and I see plants sitting outside, I don't grab one and put it in the trunk of the car. I could, but I don't. If you walked onto a car dealer's lot, and found no one was looking, the keys were in all the ignitions, would you drive off the lot in a car? I'm sure some would say yes, but I think most would say no. So why is the stealing of music and movies any different?
I do think that the ability to listen to a cd prior to purchasing is a great thing, so if copying is done for that reason, awesome. But too many people never purchase a cd - ever. Some are proud of this. If you chose to do this, that's cool - but don't fool yourself into saying you're fighting the establishment or some other bullshit argument; it's theft, pure and simple.
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4 comments:
Agreed. I don't know if it's how I was raised but I can't bring myself to download music from P2P networks. I just buy from iTunes.
Now...can you burn me a copy of Bob Mould's new album?
Kidding Spencer :)
First off a disclaimer - my post was really driven by one person, a casual music fan, I know that spends no money on music whatsoever - no cd's, concerts, etc, but has a ton of music on his ipod. If you have actually bought a cd in the past 3 years - it isn't about you.
The whole issue of the greed of the record industry and the related parasites is a whole separate issue. It's a fucking disgrace when I walk into Tower records or Barnes and Noble and a cd is $18.99. So I understand that the music industry is about the least sympathetic victim possible.
But honestly I could extend the feeling of something being too high priced to a lot of things - gasoline, the hybrid car I just test drove that costs $35K or $8K more than its gasoline version, new homes, etc, etc. I think the music industry is an easy target for our general disgust with high prices.
What I wonder is are we turning into a nation of thieves? What do you tell your kids when they ask where you got that copy of "Dukes of Hazzard"?
Your question is interesting. I think it's wrong - but you've already given your money to the studio - so I see it as less of a crime. Generally if I like something enough to keep it on my ipod, I'll keep the cd.
to the commenter: I too live in a house I can barely afford, but I wouldn't use "other people are better off" as an excuse for stealing... if I was that disturbed I wouldn't want/buy/use the product.
to the writer: hey, I live in Conshy and work in the pharmaceutical industry, too. Was drawn to this site by another music fan on the Gomez message board. Small world!
what frustrates me is i buy cds but then have to go download the music from a p2p in order to put it on my mp3 player cuz i'm not technologically inclined enough to figure out how to get past the anti-piracy software they're installing on cds these days.
but no, i don't feel bad when i download music. I own well over 500 cds and when i have the money i buy the cds of the artists i love. but for introducing me to new music and for finding those tracks that i would never actually buy the whole cd for, i hit limewire. i don't know why i don't see it as equal to stealing a car, or anyother piece of property, but i don't....will have to think about that.....
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