On Sat, Oct 18, 2003 at 09:31:18AM +0100, William T Goodall wrote: > > Some isn't more than none?
None isn't none. If you think that it is accurate to call copying music files from a friend "stealing", if you think that the only way or best way for artists to make money from creating music is to sell recordings through a recording studio, if you contribute money to a recording industry that does a good job of treating the vast majority of artists as indentured servants, then it is accurate to say that you have been as thoroughly brainwashed by the recording industry as many people have been by the religious establishment. Is it "stealing" to decline to contribute to a religious charity, despite the fact that this charity has helped some people in the past and will not be able to help as many people in the future if you do not contribute? Does the artist get "no money at all" if you copy a music file of a new artist, give it to several friends who you think will enjoy it, and they go to the artists concerts and buy CDs directly from the artist? And they give copies of files from the CD to other friends, who give to other friends, who then buy thousands of tickets to the next concert? Do you think these people would have heard of this previously unknown artist at all without copying the files? Do you think the recording companies would have helped the artist if they didn't see huge profits in it for themselves? Do you think when you buy a music recording you actually own the rights to use the recording to listen to your music? Do you think if you had bought a phono record or cassette tape, when CD's came out the recording industry graciously provided you a CD copy of the music you are licensed to listen to, just for the cost of pressing a CD (a few cents) without making a huge profit for themselves? Do you think with iTunes that you will be able to use music you have purchased a license for on new media that may come out in the future, without buying another license? Do you think the "license" that you purchase actually gives you any important rights to use the music in the best way for your needs? P.S. Do you think it is "stealing" to download files of television series, like, oh, I don't know, Angel? -- Erik Reuter http://www.erikreuter.net/ _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
