Why is music piracy so bad?

Originally Posted by ianathuth

Piracy isn't new, but I would think that only a very small percentage of people have engaged in piracy or watched a pirated movie.

There are millions of pirated copies of films and music tracks, but I would like to bet that a large percentage of them are never watched or listened to. They have just been downloaded because it was easy to do so and had the thrill of getting something for nothing with little likelyhood of being caught.

Can piracy ever be stopped? Who knows what methods may become available to cut down dramatically the possibility of copying music and films. The more that it can be cut down, the more the chance that the industry will clamp down on the ones that continue to break the law. How many people will continue to risk having a large fine, their computing equipment seized and destroyed and getting a criminal record for downloading / uploading things that they never watch, listen to or use?

Well when you think about it, its not just music piracy etc, ever worn cheap copied clothing from abroad, bought cheap perfume/aftershave, ever taped a song off the radio?

Its all piracy and I'm sure lots of people have done something even innocently that is covered under piracy laws.


Also if I own a vinyl 45 of a song, Am I entitled to download a version off the net and burn it to CD?

[ian@huth]

Originally Posted by Wayne A

but i feel that music these days isnt the same as what it used to be in the 1980's and 1990's.

What about the 60's then? That's what makes me laugh about all those people who say they only download music so that they can see what it is like before spending their money on something that might be cr@p. Who needs to download Beatles, Stones, etc. tracks to see what they are like before buying?

[TigaSefi]

i thought the music in 90's is far superior to anything we have now. The music then made me really excited to hear it while only a few bands these days do it.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Bifta

Having live through the 80's (unlike yourself) I can categorically state that quality of music nowaday's (if you don't chain yourself to MTV or TOTP) is excellent in comparison, now the 70's, that's a different matter.

Depends on what you listen to now, and what you listened to then..

There's excellent music around now, just as there was in the 90s, 80s, 70s, 60s and so on..

There's also crap in each decade..

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by scastle

Depends on what you listen to now, and what you listened to then..

There's excellent music around now, just as there was in the 90s, 80s, 70s, 60s and so on..

There's also crap in each decade..

Agadoo was released in the 80's, I've not heard a single song since that has come quite so close to inducing vomit.

Originally Posted by Bifta

Agadoo was released in the 80's, I've not heard a single song since that has come quite so close to inducing vomit.

Wasnt the birdie song by the tweets released in the 80's also?

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

Wasnt the birdie song by the tweets released in the 80's also?

Don't forget Joe Dolce and Renee & Renato

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Bifta

Agadoo was released in the 80's, I've not heard a single song since that has come quite so close to inducing vomit.

True, although I personally think that "Everything I do" by Bryan Adams and anything by Westlife are also close to inducing vomit.

I could also mention the Teletubbies & Aqua (Barbie Girl must be one of the worst, and most disturbing songs ever released).

[Dave Stones]

scastle --- nono, i think "witchdoctor" by the cartoons wins the most disturbing award....

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Dave Stones

scastle --- nono, i think "witchdoctor" by the cartoons wins the most disturbing award....

Yep.. Agreed.
Maybe I should start a new thread "What's the most disturbing/sickmaking/crap song you have heard"?

[MadGamer]

Originally Posted by Dave Stones

scastle --- nono, i think "witchdoctor" by the cartoons wins the most disturbing award....

Barbie Girl by Aqua?

[Neil]

Originally Posted by scastle

Yep.. Agreed.
Maybe I should start a new thread "What's the most disturbing/sickmaking/crap song you have heard"?

Good idea-let's get this one back on topic.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Neil

Good idea-let's get this one back on topic.

Done. here

[andygrif]

Originally Posted by dr wadd

The efforts of the RIAA and their ilk in attempting to prevent piracy are only going to make me less likely to buy CDs. Why should I pay them money for a CD that violates the accepted standards, with the associated risk that it may not work in the device that I choose to play it on? If a the packaging for a "CD" states that it has copy-protection then it simply will not get bought. If it doesn`t state it clearly and it does have copy-protection it will get taken back to the shop as mis-sold.

If they want me to pay for music then they can stop attempting to dictate what devices it can and cannot be played on.

I would agree that some copy protection methods are somewhat of a white elephant, however I have never found a copy protected CD that I cannot play in my PC, without resorting to programs designed to bypass the protection.

It was a knee-jerk reaction by the industry to try and deter casual copiers - but you will find that the next generation of music formats will include protection that will allow you play your music on all devices, but will attempt to prevent digital mass piracy.

Originally Posted by timewarrior2001

Also if I own a vinyl 45 of a song, Am I entitled to download a version off the net and burn it to CD?

Technically no! You bought that song on vinyl, if you want a digital copy you should go and buy the CD according to the law. But the new European Copyright Directive does make some allowance for 'fair use' (unlike the American version) which whilst not permitting you do so, does suggest that it should be tollerated.

[paulyoung666]

even if they do succesfully copy protect a cd then all you need is a normal player and line out or digital out and a soundcard , i cant see em ever getting around it