Has anyone noticed something about illegally downloading music???

Question

People say that it is stealing, BUT this music can be copied forever so why is it stealing, if that were stealing then if I wanted I could copy the computer i'm typing at!!! And its not even a material, it is a sound wave file on a computer, what I can put a tax on stealing my AIM icon but no, the people say thats free and GIVE AIM USERS A GODDAMN BUTTON FOR IT!!! Consider this message please and STOP PEOPLE FROM BEING CHEAP!!! Its just a scam so pop stars or Itunes can get more money!!! At what expense? Oh just 50% of their users!!! And if I get a message in my E-mail about me doing it I'm NOT!!! I'm just really pissed at Itunes for being unfair.

Answer 1

You know, I appreciate and sympathize with what you are saying. I took the time to listen to what you had to say, so perhaps you will take the time to listen to another point of view.

First, it's called intellectual property, so even if it isn't something you can hold in your hands, it is still something that belongs to someone else. Also, most, though certainly not all, artists would prefer their music is actually listened to, whether paid for or not. It's the admin and management that looks after the bottom line, and I agree there is too much greed.

My husband is a professional musician and writer, I am an artist, photographer and writer. We make our living and pay our bills creating things that with today's technology other people can easily steal/use without paying for. That hurts us because it's very difficult to support one's family on art, unless you are among the minority that make it big and are rich from it. Most artists, including recording artists (obviously excluding the big names) live within this unfortunate reality.

So, please, on occasion, stop and think of those of us who struggle to live on what we make creating beautiful things. I am relatively certain that you do not go to your daily job and walk away without being paid for the work you do. That is what intellectual property is all about, too ... sharing art and making a living.