Question for ALL: Why should we not download songs or buy bootleg?

[Lil' Hannah]

While I do download songs, I also buy CDs...

I listen to many "lesser known" bands, and one of the reasons that I DO go out and buy their CDs instead of downloading and burning them is that even though they might not be making a lot of $ of my one sale (I remember reading that the artist makes 10 cents off of each CD sold), the executives of their record label will see that people do like this band and they're worth keeping around. I just feel like I'm supporting smaller bands when I go out and buy their CD, even if they're not making bank off me.

I often download several songs by a band if I've never heard of them just to make sure their CD is worth going out and buying. Maybe this is why the RIAA sees that record sales are slipping- because people are seeing the CD ISN'T worth buying and so they hold on to the 1 song they like on their computer.

I think (get ready for a generalization here) that big music fans and the musically conscious will continue to buy CDs, and those who aren't musically conscious will keep downloading top 40 songs onto their computer, but in my view the top 40 artists don't need record sales anyway.

whew.