We know it’s illegal, yet more people in this country file-share then vote in the presidential elections. The RIAA has already sued thousands for it, and shows no sign of slowing down. Copyright holders have extended subpoena power, now, and backing from the feds. So they find out who is file sharing and sue them, but for what? Industry lawyers say, “to protect the artist,” but we all know that’s bullshit: artists don’t receive a cent from the suits. Obviously, we need a better solution, a compromise of some sort. But is file sharing right or wrong?
There is really no yes or no answer when you ask someone (especially me) if they approve or don’t approve of file sharing. So many factors figure in the discussion: What are you sharing (music, literature, movies, ect.)? Who? Why? How much?
Lets say you’re sharing music. If it’s the newest Fifty Cent or Ludacris release, no big deal. Yes, the label would hate you, and if you got caught, you’d get into trouble, but who’s going to notice. Even if you don’t pay for Fifty’s new album. between one and five million other gangsters, wannabe gagsters, rap fans, and/or thirteen year-old kids will.
But download Brother Ali or The Unknown Prophets’ new album and you might as well be stealing their wallets: unlike mainstream rappers, underground MCs aren’t rich. Then why aren’t the smaller labels and artists bitching as much as the larger labels and artists? The simple answer to that is that the smaller labels and artists are trying to get heard first and foremost. They’re more concerned with making good music than making money. Sure, the goal for any label, small or large, is to make money, but I’ve heard Slug tell crowds at shows to get his album and he doesn’t care how. Do you think you’d ever hear Fifty say that? Basically, it all comes down to supporting your local music scene, Steal from the rich and give to the poor struggling artist.
Next: Why are you file sharing? Are you downloading songs in the morning before you go to your job as a CEO where you pull in a six-figure salary? Or are you downloading because you spent all the money your broke-ass has on the computer you’re downloading the music on? If you have the means to buy an album, buy the goddamn album; it’s as simple as that. If you don’t have the money, I’m not saying its cool to go download full discographies, but a song or two is fine.. If you’re poor and steal a piece of bread, it’s understandable; but don’t go hijacking the bread truck.
Themusic industry has been profoundly changed by file sharing, and not exactly in the worst way. Although it’s an easier, more cost-effective way to obtain music, it’s not directly responsible for the decline in record sales. File sharing is also a way to discover artists you haven’t heard of before, potentially turning you into a rabid, physical copy-buying fan.File sharing can help artists sell more records. Studies have shown that downloading music has an effect on sales that is statiscally indistinguishable from zero. This being said, why is everyone blaming file sharing on the decline in record sales? Maybe it’s just an easy scapegoat.
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