Downloading mp3s....

[MoreWineII]

I'm not touching this one.

[turnipmonster]

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As an artist, would you object to me downloading your music knowing that the only way I would purchase your music is if I was allowed to preview it first through my downloads?

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no not at all, but not having any control over what anyone is downloading (i.e. if it's all over p2p) is not ideal.

most artists aren't stupid, I'll probably give away my next studio recording and be happy if it gets listened to enough to be popular on any p2p. personally I wouldn't care at all, but I feel strongly it should be my decision either way.

--turnipmonster

[Easy E]

No excuses

<font color="green">I actively download mp3s, but In my case I don't see it as stealing. Before I had the ability to download music I literally never purchased CDs. I was just tired of buying entire albums with one good song along with a bunch of filler. Now that I can download music I am able to preview entire CDs </font>

You can go to many stores and preview legally. Stealing a small amount to justify a potential purchase of a larger amount is rationalizing. Besides, are you saying you spend more on CDs now than you do on stealing MP3s? Do you delete the MP3s afterwards, like a "good" boy?

Stealing is stealing is stealing. I'm not a saint and neither are most people. But just because you don't "see" it as stealing doesn't make it so.

[RunDownHouse]

You're right, I just skimmed your post and missed some important stuff. What you're doing is perfectly fine, in my opinion. You're doing the same thing as using Napster or iTunes to preview the music before you buy it, right? I don't see how anyone could have a problem with that.

EDIT: OK, yes, technically I suppose its stealing to download music at all. But it seems like only corporate lawyers and obstinate, insanely strict moralists would make an issue of it.

[Easy E]

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This, "Well, its not like they'd get my money in the first place" argument just doesn't hold water.


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Hmmm, I think you missed the point of my post. This isn't the argument I am making at all.

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Maybe I'm still having problems with reading comprehension, but that's how I interpreted this statement
Before I had the ability to download music I literally never purchased CDs. I was just tired of buying entire albums with one good song along with a bunch of filler

[djj6835]

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Besides, are you saying you spend more on CDs now than you do on stealing MP3s?

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In my opinion I haven't stolen enything because all the music I have I purchase. So yes, I suppose I do spend more on CDs than I do on stealing mp3s. If the music isn't any good then I get rid of it. If it is, then I go out and buy the CD.

[djj6835]

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This, "Well, its not like they'd get my money in the first place" argument just doesn't hold water.



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Hmmm, I think you missed the point of my post. This isn't the argument I am making at all.


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Maybe I'm still having problems with reading comprehension, but that's how I interpreted this statement
Before I had the ability to download music I literally never purchased CDs. I was just tired of buying entire albums with one good song along with a bunch of filler



[/ QUOTE ]

I assume what rundownhouse meant is this....

People make the argument that downloading music is fine because if they didnt have the ability to download then they just wouldn't listen to it. In other words they weren't going to purchase the CD anyways regardless of whether they can download the music or not, therefor they aren't taking any money from the artists by downloading music.

What I'm saying is almost the exact opposite. The only way they artist will will get my money is if I can preview it first. Otherwise there is no way I am purchasing a CD. The main difference between the two is that I'm still paying for all the music I own, but using the ability to download as a way to decide whether I want to make the purchase or not.

[djj6835]

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You're doing the same thing as using Napster or iTunes to preview the music before you buy it, right?

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Correct, the only thing that may be somewhat unethical in my opinion is that if I do decide to purchase the CD, I don't delete the mp3s from my computer.

[MrTrik]

I dunno. It's all black and white to me. If you can enjoy the music and you didn't pay for it, it's illegal and unethical. There is no grey area here. If the ability to enjoy it wasn't paid for, well face it, you're a thief.

[djj6835]

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I dunno. It's all black and white to me. If you can enjoy the music and you didn't pay for it, it's illegal and unethical. There is no grey area here. If the ability to enjoy it wasn't paid for, well face it, you're a thief.



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But it is paid for eventually assuming I want to continue to listen to the music.