The Big Picture | Americans Think Downloading Music is OK

« Doug Cliggot on the Market, Then and Now | Main | Pfizer edges out Microsoft for #2 »

Americans Think Downloading Music is OK

Wednesday, February 04, 2004 | 05:22 AM

While the big news on the music front last week was the Gabriel/Eno announcement, their celebrity may have overshadowed two other important news items. Coincidentally, these diametrically opposed viewpoints came public within a day of each other. One of them is a bit of a surprise, while the other has the smell of an old spin piece.

When looked at side by side, its apparent that only one of them can be right; You guess which one it is:

Beyond the Anti-Piracy Suits: Year-end news stories reported not only overall decreases in the unauthorized downloading of copyrighted music, attributed to lawsuits filed against individuals by the Recording Industry Association of America, but an uptick in music sales. And more lawsuits were filed by RIAA last week. However, this seemingly straightforward story is about more than merely suing people to encourage music buying. There's a carrot here, too -- not just a stick.

Compare that statement with this one:

Americans Think Downloading Music for Personal Use Is an Innocent Act: While the news media have been filled with stories about what some are calling "Internet music piracy," a large majority of the American public views downloading music for personal use as an innocent act, and thinks the high price of CDs leads to a lot of downloading.
Fully three in four adult Americans (75%) agree that "downloading and then selling the music is piracy and should be prohibited, downloading for personal use is an innocent act and should not be prohibited."

An almost equal 70% say, "If the price of CDs was a lot lower, there would be a lot less downloading of music off the Internet."

I'll end your suspense: The first excerpt was from Hilary Rosen, former chairman and CEO of the RIAA. The second clip was a 1/28/04 Harris Poll.

Break this down: It's apparent that despite the best efforts of the RIAA, most of the country continues to perceive file sharing as OK. In light of the massive publicity that the RIAA has generated via their very high profile lawsuits, this is really quite astounding. Downloading may very well be the single biggest current act of civil disobedience in the United States -- bigger than driving faster than 55mph, and certainly bigger than pot smoking.

Here's another surprise: Despite several years of "education" by the RIAA, most Americans do not completely grasp the nuances involved:

The potential financial impact of downloading on musicians and recording companies may not be fully understood by the American public. Nearly two of three adult Americans (64%) agree that musicians and recording companies should get the full financial benefit of their work. While the music industry views downloading as an issue of property rights, agreement with the three statements reported on to this point is at virtually identical levels among Republicans and Democrats, and liberals and conservatives.

While only a small majority of adults (54%) agree, "downloading music off the Internet is no different from buying a used CD or recording music borrowed from a friend," the differences by age are large. Younger people are much more likely to agree with this statement – 70% of 18 to 24 year olds and 66% of 25 to 29 year olds agree; and there is a decline with age – only 36% of people 65 and older agree with the statement.

ReThink Research noted that "this suggests the music industry is fighting an uphill battle in winning the hearts and minds of Americans to support prohibitions against downloading." Somehow, the RIAA have failed to convince the public that there is a link between downloading and its financial impact on the recording industry."

Who'd a thunk it: Suing your clients and calling them thieves is not a great business strategy . . .

Sources:
US public still believe downloading is harmless and should be legal
ReThink Faultline
Feb 2, 2004
http://www.rethinkresearch.biz

Beyond the Anti-Piracy Suits
HILARY ROSEN
WSJ, January 27, 2004
http://online.wsj.com/article/0,,SB107517375356212562,00.html

Harris Interactive Survey
The Harris Poll® #5: Americans Think Downloading Music for Personal Use Is an Innocent Act
by Robert Leitman, January 28, 2004
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/harris_poll/index.asp?PID=434

Americans Think Downloading Music for Personal Use Is an Innocent Act
Press Release, January 28, 2004
http://www.harrisinteractive.com/news/allnewsbydate.asp?NewsID=752

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/763/429694

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Americans Think Downloading Music is OK:

Comments

I really enjoy visiting your website and I think downloading is stealing. I think the music company should start suing people cue if not they will continue downloading and the music company will go down. I will come back to visit someday.

Bye

Posted by: sarlomey | Sep 26, 2004 10:38:36 PM

Most americans think that downloading music should not be prohibited but you should realize that when people download music to burn to CD's you take money from the industry. Im into the band thing and ive been trying to join a band so I can relate to this. when you burn music to a CD or download from the internet people not only steal from the industry they also steal from the bands which could put them out of the music industry which means no more music.thats how I feel about it.

Posted by: Jason | Dec 3, 2004 5:51:11 PM

SINCE THEY PUT THE SUPPLIES OUT THERE FOR US, SUCH AS KAZAA. AND NO ONE SHUT THEM DOWN YET AND STOP THEM I THINK WE SHOULD CONTINUE BURNING MUSIC.

HEY IT'S ONLY FAIR.

Posted by: KALL | Dec 15, 2004 1:11:01 PM

Personally,I believe that downloading is stealing, but that,s just my outlook on it. to each his own.

Posted by: Donnie | Dec 23, 2004 7:44:49 PM

Downloading music may be said to be stealing but if we werent going to buy the music in the first place then how colld that me so..now that it's free, if we like it enough, were more likely to purchase the CD.

Posted by: Angie | Dec 24, 2004 8:12:35 PM

Downloading music may be said to be stealing but if we werent going to buy the music in the first place then how could that be so..now that it's free, if we like it enough, were more likely to purchase the CD.

Posted by: Angie | Dec 24, 2004 8:13:00 PM

I don't see nothing wrong with downloading music for their personal enjoyment. What I do see people selling loads of cds they have burned and making alot of money doing so.These are the ones that should be sued.

Posted by: Tanika | Jan 2, 2005 12:35:50 PM

With the consolidation of the radio industry, there is NO GOOD PLACE TO HEAR & SHARE NEW MUSIC.
With p2p, you can taste & sample whole songs, not just 10 sec's worth, and will eventually lead to purchasing a cd IF (a big if) the cd is priced reasonably.
I remember being able to go out and buy a cassette in the 80's for $6-7.00. I don't think that $10-11.00 is bad, adjusting for inflation. I could definitely see parting with that much at least once every month. However, when they start costing $13.00 and over, my interest in the CD, no matter how good the band, drops precipitously.

Posted by: Dave | Jan 4, 2005 4:00:54 PM

VIVA LA RESISTANCE!!!!

Posted by: VIRGINIA | Jan 13, 2005 4:06:05 PM

ok if Cd prices was cheaper people would buy them.. here where i live they start out at 17.00 and go up some i have seen was as little as 14.95 but it also depends on the band how old the band is but if they are a big band with great music you are not going to pay less then 17.00 for the cd.. and then if you buy the cd you are mostly buying it for 1 or 2 songs... i have over 200 cds that i have bought for just 1 or 2 songs and that is crap. If they would make a machine that will let you burn a cd and put the music that you want on it at the stores then you pay for it there that would be so cool.. and you dont have to pay 17.00 for 1 song.

Posted by: Me | Jan 21, 2005 9:08:36 AM

They have that machine: An internet connected PC

You can do that with Apple's iTunes Music Store, or any of the other pay per song sites. Download 10-15 songs at 99 cents per, burn it to a CD -- you are set!

Posted by: Barry Ritholtz | Jan 21, 2005 9:22:07 AM

Does the iPod just encourage illegal music downloading? Yes, I think it does. I have never even contemplated illegally downloading music either choosing to play it through a programme like Windows Media Player where you are unable to save the music to your iPod or copying my CD's which I have bought. I have copied another persons CD however... Buying an iPod with so much free space for music encourages people to go on to illegal sites and download their music. I have downloaded music that i wanted but would not be prepared to buy. As a person I enjoy having an album with the album art and cover. I know that this is a problem and always feel guilty after downloading an album. The price of CD's is phenomemal BUT i would be prepared to buy more CD'S if the price went down. iTunes is a good programmes but is comparable to the price i would pay in the shops. How much of the money that I pay them goes to the artists themselves? I'm reckonning not all that much.

Posted by: Abi | Jan 23, 2005 11:55:06 AM

i think downloading music is ok as long as you don't sell what you burn, i think that if people like the music enough to burn it that theya re more likely to buy the cd because most people burn the songs before the cd is even out.

Posted by: Melissa | Jan 31, 2005 7:56:43 PM

You're a bunch of losers! Downloading is fun but I don't think we should be able to get it for free.
Or like pay 9 cents for it.

Posted by: Stephanie S. | Feb 2, 2005 11:31:31 AM

Hey i dont think downloading music off the internet is a crime i think that it good because if they did not have downloading people would not listen to music very much so its good hey call me

Posted by: lydia | Feb 2, 2005 11:48:34 AM

I think that downloading music is a great way to gain free access to a number of things that you couldn't get in a store. The only problem is, people only thing that they're cheating the artists and its okay because they have more money than they even know what to do with in the first place. However, the problem is, we're not only cheating the artist, we're cheating the producers, song writers, and everyone else who depends on that song to either thrive or fail in order to determine their income. Its unfair to all of the people behind the scenes who aren't rich and successful.

Posted by: Keturah Reed | Feb 2, 2005 1:20:58 PM

i'm doing a persuasive essay on this topic so can yall put some factual information on here to help me out?? thanks a bunch

Posted by: unknownperson | Feb 7, 2005 1:37:34 PM

rat!

Posted by: sabby | Feb 8, 2005 4:38:54 PM

you are all little rats!!!
downloading in music is not bad but personally i'd rather goout and buy the music... thats what a true fan would do

Posted by: sabby | Feb 8, 2005 4:41:20 PM

you wee rats downloading is bad dont ya see i used to download but i stopped and travelled away from the bad and lead myself to the good so do the same travel with me

Posted by: taylor | Feb 17, 2005 2:30:12 PM

A friend of mine told me about this place. I love it. I will recommend you to all my friends.
See you again next time I surf around.

Posted by: Hansi | Feb 23, 2005 3:10:39 AM

Screw the RIAA, down with the Man.

Posted by: Freedom. | Mar 4, 2005 11:33:10 AM

i think you are all fuckin bitches for buyin the cd
it costs too much

i just download

Posted by: Hommie A | Mar 8, 2005 7:22:31 PM

I think that downloading muic for free is OK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Moe D. Lawn | Mar 17, 2005 9:19:14 AM

I think music dwnloading is kind of fucked in way because it's screwing up the music biss a bit

Posted by: cody | Mar 23, 2005 5:10:31 PM

i think music downloading should be free because i barely even like all the songsa on a cd andf they are so expensive.. and musicians make WAY too much money.. n now they want more.. PLzzzzz

Posted by: NIKA | Apr 6, 2005 1:48:37 PM

Very good work, really well done. See you again sometime at this interesting place. Say hi to all people around the world.

Posted by: Susan Klaas | Apr 20, 2005 8:42:20 AM

music artists started out wanting to be heard and now that they are they want the money? they already get money for their suveniers, concert tickets, ads, ect. they act like they dont already have 10 cars.

Posted by: xpliCitOne | Apr 20, 2005 10:25:04 AM

i think it is stupid, and there is a chance mess up your computer, and get caught doing it.

Posted by: denis | Apr 25, 2005 8:28:51 AM

I side with most of you on downloading new music , if the cd's were priced rite the record companies would sell twice the quantity. But what about music that is over 20 years old, some of the older artist are no longer with us. Who should get their royalties? The record companies only get away with what we the public let them. If we don't buy they al loose.

Posted by: Matt Sisko | May 1, 2005 10:01:41 PM

The ipod dose not encourage the downloading of illegel music. The itunes for the ipod cost money and they want you to download there songs, which cost money. Some people talk about things they know very little about, so they shouldn't talk about it if they dont know enoght about it. It's sooo funny to see so many people say that the downloading of music is steal! lmao if your not going into a store and taking something off the rack and walking out the store not paying for it, how is it steal? Plus when you buy a set of blank cd's there is a portion of the cd that goes to the artist's/band so its not like they are getting any money. Some people are just idoits and don't know what they are talking about, half of these people are on a bandwagon. If you download music and burn it onto a cd and sell it, you can get charged and pay up to 150,000 for each song, that is if you are caught! But people will always buy CD's because the quality of the music is better and not everyone has a computer.

Posted by: dan | May 9, 2005 10:18:04 PM

downloading should be free!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Jeff | May 18, 2005 6:24:42 PM

I think downloading music is good, it helps artists get thier songs out. If someone dowloads a sond and it is really good they are more likey to go out and buy the cd because they already know they will like it. when people start selling it thats when the problem starts. Whats the differece between downloading music and buying? and they dont even get paid half as much as these artisits with millions of dollars who are complianing about downloading. I think people should enjoy music and when you have to pay $20.00 and more for a cd alot of poeple resort to downloading.

Posted by: Alyssa | Jun 6, 2005 11:52:25 AM

I think downloading music is good, it helps artists get thier songs out. If someone dowloads a song and it is really good they are more likey to go out and buy the cd because they already know they will like it. when people start selling it thats when the problem starts. Whats the differece between downloading music and buying a used book or getting one at a libray? do you hear the writers complaining?they dont even get paid half as much as these artisits with millions of dollars who are complianing about downloading. I think people should enjoy music and when you have to pay $20.00 and more for a cd alot of poeple resort to downloading.

Posted by: Alyssa | Jun 6, 2005 11:56:14 AM

If God created us not to be able do it, then it wouldn't happen.

Besides, back in the day muic was free, so why not keep it that way? You know, there are much easier ways to keep artists music off of P2P anyway instead of just going around intimidating P2P users.

Posted by: Jack Be Nimble | Jul 28, 2005 10:15:52 AM

I just got a summons for having music that i bought on my computer that was in a shared file. these companies did a search on peoples computers who use limewire, winMX, kazaa, and imesh. i think that should be illegal. what if i had very important documentation in that folder? the folder was password protected anyways so no one could access any file without a password. i think all the music industries should go to hell and stop picking the poorest people to sue because they know we cannot afford a lawyer.

http://www.problemsinamerica.com/main/viewforum.php?f=21&sid=90bb6bd3901361b151d676893e979ae3

help support me in my case by posting your comments in the above URL!

Thanks

Posted by: Tim | Aug 5, 2005 7:42:22 PM

I think that download is fine b/c my dad work for itunes and i still downalod song for free he said it fine to do it so go head lol Later anytime for helping u

Posted by: Tom | Aug 6, 2005 2:40:22 PM

Downloading music off the internet is OK. If you burn and sell that's a different story. There is no difference between downloading off the internet and recording off a radio station and burning onto a CD. If you are going to use it for personal use then what's the problem? they just make a big deal about it.

Posted by: John | Sep 20, 2005 5:59:09 PM

i agree with the idea of free downloads. I dont get why many peole kno about these P2P programs and are doing nothing to stop it. Also, i think doing things like ripping cd's is the exact same, yet things like media player (which comes installed on almost every computer) has programs for ripping and burning. This only encourages the "theft" of music even more. They shud let it be, let people download and stfu. All the "man" has done is run his mouth, i think the only way for results to show is for them to take action.

so, i dont kno bout u... but in not gonna stop

Posted by: Nas | Oct 2, 2005 8:30:31 PM

I think downloading music is ok maybe like one or two songs off of a c.d but if you download the whole c.d then you have a problem. I mean a song there and a song here is one story but a c.d there and a c.d here then it will turn into downloading a movie and selling it, before it even comes out. So I think just downloading songs is ok, but lets not get carried away.

Posted by: Clare | Oct 3, 2005 10:49:06 AM

i think its perfectly ok

Posted by: jomamma | Oct 7, 2005 2:46:10 PM

California Teen Magazine is by teens for teens in Southern California. We want to do an article on illigal downloading. If you, or someone you know got sued for downloading and want to be heard e-mail us at contact@calteen.com. Or if you ahve anything else to add just let us know.
Thanks!
www.calteen.com

Posted by: California Teen | Oct 23, 2005 6:57:21 PM

LOL, this is absolutely an awesome forum, let me share my opinion.

My personal philosophy on downloading music is this:
If you own it (I.E. have purchased the CD) it's ok, if it's something you cannot get on a publicly purchaseable CD (I.E. Remixes and Non-Importable Music from other countries - Yes it is something that exists) it's ok, however, if you want to sample it to see if you like it before you buy it that's ok but if you don't like it, delete it and if you do like it then pay the money and get the CD, or at least the single of the song if you don't like the whole thing. Don't use it as a way to freeload from talented individuals, use it as a way to boost those peoples careers by listening to all you can and buying what you like. I do think that suing everyone who has ever downloaded or shared a file is going to be a nearly impossible task and a downer for everyone. Instead think of a positive solution, if people are downloading something more than purchasing it, find out why they aren't willing to pay for it, do surveys, if you ask me the quality of music in both production and overall guidlines to good music getting produced has gone steadily downhill. It used to be that when I liked one song or single from someone, I usually liked the whole album (maybe one or two out of 16 or so songs that I might skip over rather than listen to) Nowadays, the single off the album is the only good song on the thing (and sometimes that even isn't really true, or there is one song that is really good on a CD that they never publicize instead churning out a bunch of crap for singles and making you wade through them to hear the good stuff) and the rest of the CD makes a decent coaster. Perhaps a combination of lower CD prices, as it's pretty obvious that the production costs on a CD AREN'T that high, and making sure that most if not all of the CD is quality... (have a producer listen to it over and over and over, if they can't stand listening to it then why would they expect us to) will help keep the music industry afloat, not berating every person who has downloaded music?

Anyway this has been my two cents. Thanks for listening.

Posted by: Draconas | Oct 26, 2005 1:31:29 AM

I think that music downloads rule major. I think that its fine just to download a couple of songs. I understand people needs money off a cd but so does people who is buying cds. Its a waste of money to buy a cd for one song so why not get it for free?

Posted by: Elizabeth | Nov 9, 2005 4:34:29 PM

stebenho

Posted by: ash | Nov 14, 2005 4:55:00 PM

I agree that downloading music is alot easier in-expensive and that I myself have downloaded songs before it was a big deal but, but I would rather pay my bands and government what they ask for what I enjoy than have my bands dissapear because they were ripped off of their own music, the illegal part of downloading isn't what stops me it's the fact that I have respect for the great bands like Metallica, Korn, Guns n Roses and all those other bands that totally rock. and would like to see them continue

Posted by: Ashley | Nov 16, 2005 4:44:35 PM

I admit that i used to be a heavy downloader... But that all changed once i got a letter in the mail saying that i was liable for being sued by some company if i dont get rid of everything... yeah that scared me a little bit.....However, How is the music business different from other businesess? They produce a product for a profit.. with the changing environment, many businesess go through downsizing periods. since people are wanting to listen to music digitally now a days, why cant the music industry conform and reasses thier strategies to fit our wants and needs. the industry is faceing a retrenchment and we have to bend over backwards to go out of our comfortable homes.. get in our gas guzzlung cars and buy a CD for $15 and up.. and it might not even be that good!. what a rip off and u cant even take it back.. its like its not worth anything anyway since it fully depreciates when u leave the store! anyway i luve downloading.. and the industry will just have to find another way to deliver the music... they get paid too much anyway.. hah

Posted by: Former Downloader | Nov 24, 2005 11:17:11 AM

yeah okay so i'm doing a paper on this.... I think that downloading music / movies / etc. is OK... why? well because.. 1. when you purchase CDs or DVDS or anything else, the money endorses and contributes to the negative Hollywood image of materialism, greed, sex, violence, and superficitality. (which pressures young men and women into being thing, beautiful, and perfect which leads to life threatening situations) 2. Downloading doesn't greatly impact the funds of celebrities and producers because they already have more than sufficient incomes to support themselves. 3. It is unavoidable... the public will always find a loophole in the system to continue and rebel. And besides they don't even catch half the people that do it... so what do i suggest to the music business? deal with it!

Posted by: Michelle | Dec 3, 2005 2:36:58 PM

well i think it not ok but if u put on the internet then that mean it ok because if u don't want people to download then take it of the internet then and plus if u have a ipod the u have to download music then

Posted by: michael | Dec 5, 2005 10:09:16 AM

I know exactly why some of the music industry is fightin against file sharing.

They are exposed without profit

What I Mean by this is most of the artist,

keyword "most". Are putting out garbage music. They

might have one or two or if their lucky 3 songs that are

decent at most. Well on the radio they get to pick

what songs you listen to, so of course they are going

to put their top song on the radio and expect you will

go buy the overpriced CD or Tape at the store. This is

why Artists are ok with the radio. Now that we have

the internet. We get to choose what songs we want to

hear all the songs in much less quality but alteast we

can sample to see if its worth spending that much on a

a cd/tape ect. So now that we have a choice in the

matter its illegal, was it ever illegal to turn on the radio

and listen to their hits over and over and tape them on

a cassette tape? No it wasnt, now that we have the

choice to listen to what we want its a problem. that

should be illegal if you ask me.

yeah selling copies of stuff should be illegal, but

listening to something like we have always done be

illegal? give me a break

Posted by: Jay | Dec 10, 2005 11:08:47 AM

What's the difference between me borrowing a friend's CD and copying it, or me downloading the entire CD of Kazaa? I didn't pay for it either way. One is illegal, the other isn't.

This has been going on since 8-tracks went out the door and audio cassettes were made available to the public. What's that.. like.. almost twenty years now?
Nobody made this big of a fuss about it when it first started happening back then. Why start now?

Bunch of freakin' whiners, and greedy bastards. Any person in the music industry who complains about it is. If someone likes the music enough, they'll buy it, even if they just downloaded half of it for free. I do, just to support the bands I like.

I agree with Jay. This is all silly, and it's about money for people who make more money than most of the people posting here will even see in a lifetime and that's sick. Fuck 'em all.

Posted by: Sean | Dec 14, 2005 8:26:58 PM

Only internet hating politians think that music downloadong is illegal. I mean they probly made it in the first place and now they say "Dowloading music is illegal". I agree with Sean that who ever is complaining are a bunch of whinning people who now make a fuss about it for nothing.

Posted by: robert | Jan 19, 2006 10:30:08 AM

music downloading is good if download just a few songs,but if u download a lot of c.d s then ur in a problem.

Posted by: john | Jan 19, 2006 10:38:42 AM

NO good comes of it.. it is a shame to all things holy.. stop the madness.. stop the pain.. buy the music, buy your happiness.

my sincerest regards
megan

Posted by: Megan Kinsmen | Jan 24, 2006 10:13:08 AM

this website is RUBBISH, it has bin written by an american though!

Posted by: Fatty Fatty Bombom | Jan 26, 2006 5:04:48 AM

This website is CHEAP! Put some more money into it!

Posted by: Even Fatter Fatty Bombom | Jan 27, 2006 8:36:56 AM

This website is CHEAP! Put some more money into it!

Posted by: Even Fatter Fatty Bombom | Jan 27, 2006 8:36:59 AM

Been downloading since Napster 1.0. I have no moral dilemma with it, especially when I see the way musicians spend their money. Look at how previous artists lived, like Davinci, Shakespeare, and even Bob Marley. They did not go live their lives in wealth and spend dollar after dollar just because they had it. And most artists didn't make nearly the money that artists do now, so they should be happy we appreciate their works enough to spend the time to dowload it.

Posted by: The greatest downloader ever | Feb 13, 2006 2:18:52 PM

You are all stupid losers u spend all ur time on gay websites like this one

Posted by: U all are gay | Feb 21, 2006 3:33:05 PM

downloading should be legal, i mean why the hell do we have to pay freaking 17 dollars on a CD then live on cabbage stew for two weeks. And Britney Spears spend 1 million dollars on a valentino dress wears it for like a day then flushes it down the toilet. Is that fair?

Posted by: go to hell | Mar 19, 2006 6:34:48 PM

downloading music is NOT stealing if you wouldn't by the downloaded songs to begin with..to steal something means there's a loss somewhere..you're not stealing profits if you wouldn't buy the downloaded music to begin with..i download music via limewire,but even if i didn't i wouldn't buy the music retail..MOST people that download fit this description...people need to understand the definition of stealing..if the RIAA isn't losing something(or the artists)then it's not stealing.i downloaded a robert palmer song tonight..would i have bought it if i hadn't had the oppertunity to download it free??? NO!
the RIAA didn't lose anything and furthermore neither did robert palmer! most music downloaders that i've talked to,fit the same description. IMHO it defines the majority of music downloaders

Posted by: dennis teel | Mar 22, 2006 1:59:50 AM

I think it is ok. It is there so why not use it. All the people who think it is wrong just dont do it, dont worry it is other peoples business if they want to get music.

Posted by: mason babb | Apr 11, 2006 8:38:37 AM

Is downloading music wrong? I personally don't think that downloadings wrong because music artists have enough money as it is. A couple of dollars wont hurt them. They make millions through concerts and CD's are starting to become out of date. There is no way that the government or anyone else is going to be able to shut down every program that allows you to download music for free. They should just give up and leave us alone because they are never going to be able to stop this.

Posted by: Jeff | Apr 27, 2006 9:29:30 AM

Nothing is wrong with downloading and it should be made legal. You people going around taking people to court n suing n shit, quit the whining and get the stick outta your asses.

Posted by: Kahlua | May 10, 2006 1:37:27 AM

i think that downloading music is stealing because u are gettin the song for free instead of buying it in the shops or entertainment shops

Posted by: Phil Mcrutch | May 31, 2006 6:03:06 AM

I personally think that Downloading music has helped many artist on a come up. There are plenty of people who discover an interest in new music and artists that they've never heard of, or heard before simply by downloading. Downloading is a form of promotion for artist and don't feel like it is hurting their pockets. I think that the record companies are the millionaire theives that are suing regular middle classed people for money that the artists themselves will never see anyway.

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:39:50 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:40:10 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:40:17 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:40:18 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:40:19 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:40:21 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:40:22 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:43:14 PM

Posted by: Sergio | Aug 10, 2006 3:43:17 PM

I think downloading music is awsome cus I can steal from others I get such a rush Its almost like smoking pot I get so excited then I start cutting myself and drink the blood while mastrabating to the music ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh it feeels sooooo goooooood

Posted by: Andrew | Sep 12, 2006 8:43:01 AM

I think downloading music is ok I meen look at all the songs thay put out there its not like there going to go broke they can cry me a river cause I dont give a crape.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: cody | Sep 12, 2006 8:45:48 AM

so like OMGZ i totally love the music dling, its like soo cool! like eff, i love my free music, like usher uhhh hes such a hotty!, but newayz im so in for dling free music!... well duh! wo wouldnt be! its sooo cool and who wants to spend money on cds? like duh some people are only teens!... we def dont have enough money for cds! we have to go buy like expesive clothes and all that!
soo yeye im soo in for this whole music dling thing! WOO GO USHER (l)

Posted by: Summer | Sep 19, 2006 11:05:02 AM

Stealing would incorporate the debilitation of the stock of a certain product. It would prevent another person from purchasing that item. No one loses a downloaded song for it is merely a copy of a file and no one is prevented from buying the CD. In fact, a case can be made that downloading can improve sales. If someone hears about an emerging artist, I highly doubt they’re going to go purchase the CD right away. What are they going to do? That’s right, download it from a third party source in order to see if it’s worth the money or not.

Posted by: dan | Sep 24, 2006 6:24:28 PM

i think that the artist are getting paid by other things anyway so it shouldnt matter if there records dont sell! theyre just being greedy!

Posted by: johnathan | Oct 10, 2006 3:18:14 AM

that guy matt sisko is stupid, yea you could buy music from i tunes but if you want you can drag stuff from limewire and put them on your ipod. i know i never downloaded music and now i do it like their is no tommorrow! i find stuff i will never hear in a cd and stuff that was just made for a tv show. how would i get to hear that if i did not download it?

Posted by: Frank | Oct 23, 2006 9:59:25 AM

Posted by: Frank | Oct 23, 2006 9:59:26 AM

music downloading allows me to get music I can't regularily find at a music store. i love it

Posted by: Larry | Nov 21, 2006 5:20:54 PM

i think downloading music is an awesome thing. people who think its a bad idea, fuck you then. if you dont like downloading, then dont. go pay 18-20 dollars and buy a CD, i could just get my music from the internet.... for free. dont us, americans already pay too much for evreything else? if you dont think so, then buy a CD or even a collection of them.

Posted by: In the U.S. and I have freedom | Dec 6, 2006 7:31:33 PM

Honestly, I dont think downloading music is bad, but im always at constant fear of being sued. I usually sample 1 or 2 songs and then I consider buying the album. And its not the artists that are behind the suing, its just the RIAA sucking out every possible dollar and coin from the consumers pockets.

Posted by: Slash | Jan 2, 2007 4:36:13 PM

My personal opinion of downloading, it is wrong, and that you should not do it. My first reason why downloading is wrong it’s because if artists don’t get paid for producing music or movies you listen to and watch they pay money to produce and create if they are not getting paid back they will not make any more movies or any more music. M y second reason is that it is unfair for other people to pay money for CDs and other music/movies and etc; while other people get them for free. My Third and final reason why downloading is so wrong, is because when you take something that you didn’t create or help make or take what isn’t yours, you are stealing.
Celebrities make music and create movies using money, if they are not getting money back because you think you are smart for downloading off the internet you are wrong you are jut fooling yourself because celebrities pay to produce or create something. With you downloading of free artists and actors are not getting their money cut and their will be no money for them to produce another movie or create music.
It is unfair for people to pay for the CDs and movies in the store while other people are just downloading from the internet for free. It is unfair because while people are downloading (which is illegal) for free, hard working people that earn minimum wage is spending there money right and not breaking any laws while doing that. When you download of the internet is if just like stealing from a store it is wrong and you should never do it.
well there are my reasons Bye!~xox~

Posted by: Jennifer | Apr 21, 2007 12:14:08 PM

My biggest complaint against the music giants is that they are so slow to get new tracks available to buy! Several times, I have tried to buy a song that they are playing on the radio and it is just not available LEGALLY! And yet, there it is for download if you wish, as an illegal download! This is nuts. Make the music available to us and I will buy it!

Posted by: Larry | Jun 9, 2007 10:16:42 PM

If I like the artist good enough I would and do buy their album. Otherwise, I have better things to spend my hard-earned money on. so-so artists and oldies get downloaded for free. I wouldn't have payed for them anyhow no matter what. I can take it (their songs) or leave it.

Posted by: Jean | Aug 12, 2007 12:31:32 AM

This is a really good site, and I thank you so much for having it! I have a school project and we have a debate unit at school- and the teacher choses our debate issue for us (and if we are for or against). I'm supposed to be against people who download copyrighted music having to face leagal action. This really helped me. Thanks! (I do think that downloading is stealing. )

Posted by: A Person | Sep 26, 2007 9:08:19 PM

I'm doing an essay about downloading and I need to know who wrote this so I can acknowledge their work.

Posted by: muui | Nov 2, 2007 1:07:49 PM

screw the music industry

and if you thnk dnloading music is wrong...then thats on you

leave the rest of us alone about it

Posted by: chandra | Dec 4, 2007 6:30:18 PM