Re: FN-FORUM Copying music off the internet

date posted 30th June 2003 18:50

> Paul:
> > > > The real problem is that the industry has to get to grips with
> > > > the fact that its distribution and pricing model is a thing of the
> past,
> > > > but I'm too hungover to type any more ;-)
> > >
> > > You're joking, right?
> > > Major labels are buying legislation (the US DMCA, the European EUCD)
to
> > > protect their business models faster than you can say "".
> > >
> > No, not joking, and it ain't working.
>
> Oh, I know it isn't working.
> If anyone truly believes, however, that the music industry is going to
> *accept* it isn't working, then maybe they'd like to buy this here bridge.
> :0)
Which brings us nicely back round to my initial point - you agree with me
that they are going to have to change their ways...

> > "figures from internet measurement firm Neilsen/NetRatings found that
free
> > download service Kazaa was still the most popular music site in the UK"
> >
> Well, that tells me nothing...
>
What, as in you already knew that, or can't infer anything else from the
fact? Such a throwaway line doesn't move the discussion on.
As it happens I have downloaded some MP3s from Kazaa, of music I bought on
an album many years ago (*) - I have also bought a couple of CDs from Amazon
and listened to digital radio. None of these were options a few years ago.
Does this also tell you nothing, or perhaps suggest that the fixed costs of
large city centre record shops are going to become unsustainable and that
inevitably the internet will be the means by which most music is
distributed.
I'd also suggest a sensible pricing structure for both download of files and
purchase of CDs will eliminate much (by no means all - we had live bootlegs
and cassette tapes etc before this debate really kicked off) of the
'pirating', as surveys show that people really do like to have the real
thing, as long as they're not getting ripped off.

Whatever, it's a big issue and it's not going away, that's just my
experience and reflections upon it...
Cheers, Paul.

* Is that legal, or do I need to pay again for digital rights, as the record
was analogue? In which case is it legit for me to convert my old vinyl into
digital format? I don't know...