What are your questions on downloading & copying music legally?

sugarcoma101

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

If the artists weren't being stiffed by the company, the price of legal downloads would be lower and the talent would get some recompense. As it is, the artist ends up paying for most of the costs given as justification for the silly prices charged. As the BIL says, it's mostly on 'overdraft' the majority of the time, expenses on tour and only money in pocket after the tour receipts are totalled and the bills are paid. Then he has to keep the taxman happy, make up to the wife for being away for months at a time, pay the mortgage whilst the sun is shining, send the ex the child maintenance and, if he's lucky, go back to the day job until the festival season starts up in spring.

Much better when the artists run things themselves, it's a lot harder to begrudge them the money.

I think artists themselves are best placed to speak out about illegal downloading. See below, taken from here:

http://www.musicunited.org/3_artists.html

"It may seem innocent enough, but every time you illegally download music a songwriter doesn’t get paid. And, every time you swap that music with your friends a new artist doesn’t get a chance. Respect the artists you love by not stealing their music. You’re in control. Support music, don’t steal it." Dixie Chicks


"Everyone who loves music should be able to enjoy the wonderful recordings that are created. But it's no secret that it takes hard work, expense and many people to make great recordings. Artists and composers –particularly the younger ones - will not stand a chance of creating music in the future if their recordings are simply stolen in this way." Luciano Pavarotti


"Getting music the right way means there will be continued investment in new music, new artists, touring, new songs and everything fans love. Be a fan. Love music. And if you love music, get the real thing." Martina McBride


"Record companies, publishers, radio stations, retailers, artists and others in our industry must take a very strong position against the stealing of our writing and music or else those writings and music will become as cheap as the garbage in the streets." Stevie Wonder

"Hip Hop has always been about the attainable dream – about running your own business, your own club, your own fanzine. Turning your back on the bootleggers helps us pave the way for the next generation of entrepreneurs. We do our best to bring you the latest, hottest beats, and we appreciate it when our fans show their love and respect by going in that record store and buying the finished product." Missy Elliott


"As an artist who has dedicated his life to music and the music business, I have seen what illegal music copying has done and continues to do to new and established musicians. I understand why people download music, but for me and my fellow artists, this is our livelihood. When you make an illegal copy, you're stealing from the artist. It’s that simple. Every single day we're out here pouring our hearts and souls into making music for everyone to enjoy. What if you didn’t get paid for your job? Put yourself in our shoes!" Sean (P. Diddy) Combs

"Making an album is a team effort, so when somebody pirates a record that not only affects the artist, but also the people who worked on it like co-producers, co-writers and musicians.” Shakira

"You might as well walk into a record store, put the CD's in your pocket and walk out without paying for them." Mark Knopfler

"If you create something and then someone takes it without your permission, that is stealing. It may sound harsh, but it is true." Mary J. Blige

sugarcoma101

cherrynicola wrote: »

To you that might be tight-fisted, but for me, as an NHS worker (who no doubt earns a lot less than your typical music industry type), each and every one of those CDs was a real treat and a big purchase for me.

And how would you feel if an arguement was raging on that you, as an NHS worker, should not be paid for your work? And instead should work for free? And listen to thousands of people arguing that you SHOULD work for free?

adouglasmhor

Also that news story is over a year old as PB is still operating and they opnly got a year with good behaviour even if they had been inside htey are out now.

adouglasmhor

Thsi says it all. http://www.thelocal.se/26298/20100426/


Neij and Svartholm Warg, together with Peter Sunde and Carl Lundström, were found guilty of being an accessory to copyright violations and issued with a collective fine of 30 million kronor ($4.17 million) as well as a year in prison.

The Pirate Bay four have appealed the Stockholm District Court decision with the case likely to go all the way to the Supreme Court because of its precedential nature.

The Pirate Bay has in the meantime continued operating and, in a ruling from Stockholm District Court in October, Fredrik Neij and Gottfrid Svartholm Warg were ordered to pay 500,000 kronor fines if they did not close the site.

adouglasmhor

sugarcoma101 wrote: »

the Guardian must be wrong too so...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/apr/17/the-pirate-bay-trial-guilty-verdict

Over a year old and appeals still ongoing according to Swedish press articles. Give up you are clueless.




http://www.thelocal.se/24322/20100111/

charleyhellfire

sugarcoma101 wrote: »

And how would you feel if an arguement was raging on that you, as an NHS worker, should not be paid for your work? And instead should work for free? And listen to thousands of people arguing that you SHOULD work for free?

Nobody is saying artists shouldn't get paid - they should...ONCE. They make a recording, they get paid for that recording...and then move on to their next recording. To continually, for 50 years or more, carry on making millions on the one recording an artist spent a few hours making is criminal. A good artist can make a good living by playing live and charging fans to see them...that is the future - get used to it.

sugarcoma101

charleyhellfire wrote: »

Nobody is saying artists shouldn't get paid - they should...ONCE. They make a recording, they get paid for that recording...and then move on to their next recording. To continually, for 50 years or more, carry on making millions on the one recording an artist spent a few hours making is criminal. A good artist can make a good living by playing live and charging fans to see them...that is the future - get used to it.

No, actually, the future is cut off internet connections for those who dont want to pay for a product and would instead prefer to steal it :rotfl:

adouglasmhor

sugarcoma101 wrote: »

No, actually, the future is cut off internet connections for those who dont want to pay for a product and would instead prefer to steal it :rotfl:

you don't even need or possibly have the tech to do that, ISPs could be allowed or made to block illegal downloads or charge end users the correct fees. Then I would not have the problem of my ISP throttling my account when downloading a new Linux or BSD OS.

I listen to a paid streaming music service for my music when not listening to my legaly bought music collection. If I hear something new I like - I buy a CD, So I often get a chance to hear new stuff without shelling out for a CD and without downloading bootleg stuff. (I do own a little bootleg rock vinyl from the 70s and 80s).

sugarcoma101

adouglasmhor wrote: »

you don't even need or possibly have the tech to do that, ISPs could be allowed or made to block illegal downloads or charge end users the correct fees. Then I would not have the problem of my ISP throttling my account when downloading a new Linux or BSD OS.

I suggest you do some reading on the Digital Economy Bill which will come into law in June 2010.

sugarcoma101

charleyhellfire wrote: »

Nobody is saying artists shouldn't get paid - they should...ONCE. They make a recording, they get paid for that recording...and then move on to their next recording. To continually, for 50 years or more, carry on making millions on the one recording an artist spent a few hours making is criminal. A good artist can make a good living by playing live and charging fans to see them...that is the future - get used to it.

It's not criminal to charge consumers a fair price for a product that costs money to produce in the first place.