Quote:
Originally posted by epsilon99
I certainly see your point about the MPAA and RIAA making the threat look greater than it is to get people to stop. I wanted to share this for two reasons. One I think people should know that there is a chance of legal action regardless of the odds and we should be aware of that. Secondly I think it is an interesting debate. I am opposed to illegal downloads because I think artists should be compensated fairly for their work and I wanted to share that.
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ahhh, see that's what I thought you were getting at . . . if you want to have that argument, that's fine too.
Artists are not compensated well for album sales to begin with - the vast majority of wealthy musicians make their money from subsidiary sources (mostly touring, but also brand management, promotions, outsourcing/production/etc).
Here's the rub: there's never been any proof that artists are hurt more than they're helped by illegal downloading. In fact, we can probably name hundreds of artists that make far more now than they did before - OAR is a key example, increasing their distribution and touring schedule due to a largely illegal underground distribution of their music across college campuses.
Now, the ones that have the most 'legitimate' gripe are the artists who are incapable of touring, for one reason or another - mostly b/c the digital processing is so intense on their music that they cannot necessarily replicate it live. This means they are not so much "artists" as "props". I feel no remorse whatsoever for them, even thought they are probably the ones that need the protection.
Also, very few of the major-label artists affected the most by downloading are really in the poor house to start with, and the artists most supportive of file sharing are the smaller, boutique-label acts who could use the money most. You do the math there.
As far as movie files . . . honestly, it was bound to happen eventually, it's the modern equivalent of taping off of HBO or from a rented video. Either the MPAA will have to spend millions to develop increasingly stronger proprietary encryption for DVDs, or they can 'lose millions' in potential sales. You pick, and at the same time I'll continue to not really be concerned about commercial movie profits. That is one industry that is NOT hurting for funds.
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