Downloading your music vs buying your music

Mr November · 03-02-2011, 01:04 PM

This is a complicated issue. In my opinion, downloading music for free on the internet is stealing. Despite this, I still often use online downloading for music, and I don't feel guilty about it at all.

In my opinion the ethics of pirating music depend greatly on the artist. Downloading and torrenting the music of artists you might here on the radio (Lady Gaga or.... I don't know, what else do they play on the radio these days?) isn't worth thinking a third time about (but always think twice). These artists can make money buy selling concerts, merchandise, advertising, and various other aspects of their image.

Stealing music from an artist who doesn't have that kind of mass appeal and marketability is the real crime. Because you are actually stealing the livelihood of that person.

In the end, if you like someone's music, you should make an effort to contribute to their album/record sales. If you can't manage that for some reason, most artists will just be happy to have their music heard.

Many artists would make music even if their was no opportunity for income. In general, the music is a passion, and the sales is a job.

Chrysalis · 03-02-2011, 07:01 PM

Honestly, if I wasn't trying to keep my spending money over $300 (saving for a 3DS), I would probably buy more music. The problem is that most of the stores in my town that sell music are Wal-Mart and K-Mart (and we all know what they sell)...

...and a CD Warehouse (a used CD store chain in the US), which is about a 5-minute drive from my house.

And I'm going there tomorrow!

Paedantic Basterd · 03-02-2011, 07:34 PM

Purchase music online. Purchase used if you're stingy. I always listen to an album once before I purchase it. My line of thinking is that you wouldn't buy a painting for your livingroom without looking at it first, and I feel the same about purchasing music.

djchameleon · 03-02-2011, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord of Sushi

Honestly, if I wasn't trying to keep my spending money over $300 (saving for a 3DS), I would probably buy more music. The problem is that most of the stores in my town that sell music are Wal-Mart and K-Mart (and we all know what they sell)...

...and a CD Warehouse (a used CD store chain in the US), which is about a 5-minute drive from my house.

And I'm going there tomorrow!

which color 3DS are you getting? i put down money on the blue one, I can't wait til I comes out.

Ben Butler · 03-03-2011, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Husky McDump

It is illegal to download music for free. But that doesn't mean that it's the best way to support a group that is very small. It would be different situation for mainstream music I would suppose...

Absolutely, it's illegal downloading music for free. You can't download like this in any other industry apart from the music one. That's what I find strange about this. For niche music I can see the benefits of it but do the mainstream really need to embrace this? I doubt it personally.

s_k · 03-03-2011, 10:50 AM

I'd like to point out that it's not illegal everywhere.

Ben Butler · 03-03-2011, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s_k

I'd like to point out that it's not illegal everywhere.

It is in some places. I think it should be illegal everywhere personally.

Husky McDump · 03-03-2011, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Butler

You can't download like this in any other industry apart from the music one.

movies
tv
books
comics

these all are industries that are effected (affected? can't remember the rule) negatively by downloading them for free.

s_k · 03-03-2011, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ben Butler

It is in some places. I think it should be illegal everywhere personally.

I really don't. I do think though that people shouldn't take advantage of it.

Paedantic Basterd · 03-03-2011, 02:12 PM

If Itunes is the future of the music industry, then I think they ought to tie all of their files to the purchasing computer (ala punkbuster software), and allow everybody to listen to every song once free of charge. Wouldn't hurt to allow prices to coincide with file quality either.

03-02-2011, 07:01 PM	#182 (permalink)
Chrysalis ~de geso Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 495	Honestly, if I wasn't trying to keep my spending money over $300 (saving for a 3DS), I would probably buy more music. The problem is that most of the stores in my town that sell music are Wal-Mart and K-Mart (and we all know what they sell)... ...and a CD Warehouse (a used CD store chain in the US), which is about a 5-minute drive from my house. And I'm going there tomorrow! __________________ RateYourMusic A dead Last.fm account Last edited by Chrysalis; 03-02-2011 at 07:24 PM.

03-03-2011, 10:50 AM	#186 (permalink)
s_k Music Addict Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,206	I'd like to point out that it's not illegal everywhere. __________________ Click here to see my collection

03-02-2011, 01:04 PM	#181 (permalink)
Mr November Music Addict Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Halifax, Canada Posts: 429	This is a complicated issue. In my opinion, downloading music for free on the internet is stealing. Despite this, I still often use online downloading for music, and I don't feel guilty about it at all. In my opinion the ethics of pirating music depend greatly on the artist. Downloading and torrenting the music of artists you might here on the radio (Lady Gaga or.... I don't know, what else do they play on the radio these days?) isn't worth thinking a third time about (but always think twice). These artists can make money buy selling concerts, merchandise, advertising, and various other aspects of their image. Stealing music from an artist who doesn't have that kind of mass appeal and marketability is the real crime. Because you are actually stealing the livelihood of that person. In the end, if you like someone's music, you should make an effort to contribute to their album/record sales. If you can't manage that for some reason, most artists will just be happy to have their music heard. Many artists would make music even if their was no opportunity for income. In general, the music is a passion, and the sales is a job.

03-02-2011, 07:34 PM	#183 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	Purchase music online. Purchase used if you're stingy. I always listen to an album once before I purchase it. My line of thinking is that you wouldn't buy a painting for your livingroom without looking at it first, and I feel the same about purchasing music.

03-03-2011, 02:12 PM	#190 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	If Itunes is the future of the music industry, then I think they ought to tie all of their files to the purchasing computer (ala punkbuster software), and allow everybody to listen to every song once free of charge. Wouldn't hurt to allow prices to coincide with file quality either.