Do you download music without paying? If so, do you think it's fair to the Artists and/or Record Companies?

Question

Downloading tunes from Limewire or wherever is great because, well, they're free! But this means that the artist is not getting paid for their hard work, and their recording and publishing companies are also not getting money that they really need in order to keep themselves afloat and invest in new acts. If anyone here downloads music for free, why do you think it is right or fair to do so?

Answer 1

I download music on mininova and limewire, but to be honest I don't care if the artist is losing out.
I suppose it's linear thinking as I am only one person I can't effect the music business.
It's got me into more music before downloading, I bought an album on the very rare occasion, now I listen to all sorts. It's certainly given me more scope to artists.

But I see it similarly to movies downloads, actors and labels charge us the consumer far too much and they have brought it on themselves. Is it fair that actors charge millions per movie

Blank media cost pennies but they still charge, £10-£20. I know the cost is more than the discs' themselves but it is not justified and for years the consumer have been ripped off.

I don't think the industry is that hard done by and it's time to make a stand

Answer 2

First thing they need to do then is start putting out CD's again that are worth the $20 or more they're expecting people to shell out for them. I haven't bought a CD of new stuff in years because most of them have maybe 1 or 2 decent songs and a load of crap. At least the older albums had cuts that were worth listening even if they never made it to airplay as singles. I can see why people could get bent out of shape...but is that any different than recording a movie on my VCR or Tivo at home? Do I need to pay Jim Carrey for taping "The Truman Show"? Do I send the royalty check to Vince McMahon and the WWE because I tape Monday Night RAW? It's just an issue of musicians whining when I see most of them doing just fine. They're not exactly starving and can fill that garage with 6 Bentley's or Cadillacs. And if the record industry wants to bring people to their way of thinking, going after a single mother to the tune of a fine of over 200 gr doesn't quite do that. Put out decent music again and people will buy it. Simple.

Answer 3

I download, but only really bands that I've heard of and have been meaning to check out, or when I only like one song. If I'm not sure I'll like them, I don't really want to waste money buying an album I might not listen to. If I download and like what I hear, then I go buy.

Besides, the vast majority of the bands I like are hugely popular, and they've made more money than they'll need in any number of lifetimes. So I kinda don't feel bad about it. And since the bands are big, the record companies are too, so it's not like I'm about to ruin some unheard of, struggling company.

Some of the bands I like, they're practically impossible to find in this country. So if I bought their albums, I'd have to buy online, which I'm not allowed to do yet. Downloading's the only option.

I think the only time I've ever felt bad was when I went on a downloading spree and got about three albums worth of songs from one (not very well known) band. Then I found out the singer had leukemia, and I felt horrible. I kinda quit downloading vast amounts after that.

Answer 4

Well, I do occaisionally download songs for free (although limewire b*ggered up my computer) but I don't feel guilty about it at all. As far as I'm concerned, CDs are horribly overpriced anyway - if the record companies involved reduced the price of CDs I'm sure people would be much less likely to download tracks for free. It's just not really something I have any strict morals on, and, to be honest, I don't think about it enough to feel bad.

Answer 5

I'll be honest, I do download a few tracks, but I only download the songs/artists I only like a little, where I wouldn't go out and buy the CD regardless of internet availability. I also download tracks that you can't get in the shops, like live performances and covers by artists.

I do buy all of the stuff from the bands I like and love, as I want them to keep playing and performing for me and my fellow fans. I think that this is only right and fair.

Answer 6

These people will have more money in a year then we will get in a lifetime. Music was always taped i used to sit and record the top twenty singles charts every Sunday (nothing new in this)
And the record companies anre still rich and so are the Artists and I am still poor...

Answer 7

The record company makes even more profit from downloads as they pay less to the artist than if you bought a cd.
Read some articles on copyright to understand how greedy the record companies are and how illegal downloading may not be illegal afterall.

Answer 8

i download music and movies all the time using p2p programmes and i do feel bad in the sense that it does deprive the artists of their well earned money, but i don't care enough to go out and pay a pretty expensive amount for a cd when a lot goes to the in between music store.

Answer 9

i have done it a few times on limewire and it has lead me to hear artests i would not go out and buy because i dont now them . when i find an artest i do like i go out and by there albums . so i think it a good way to find new artest and not waste hard earned money on music you wont like. shops a refseing to take cds back for fear you may of copyed it. so y should we buy be for we try....

Answer 10

i do. i dnt care about the record companies. lets not give our money to the americans, right? if the artists are bad, download it, if not, buy it.