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Topic ClosedDownloading

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Poll Question: Is it right to download music for free without the artist's consent?
Poll Choice Votes Poll Statistics
13 [22.41%]
24 [41.38%]
4 [6.90%]
17 [29.31%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted

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Hercules View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Downloading
    Posted: February 15 2009 at 03:55
Many of our favourite prog bands are struggling to make a living because their music is being copied and made available as free downloads so that people can obtain it without paying.

Is it OK to get your music this way and if so, under what circumstances?
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Mr ProgFreak View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 04:33
I'm not comfortable downloading something without the consent of those who own the rights. If for some reason an album isn't available anymore, then I'll simply listen to something else ... by new bands for example, who need the attention more than some 30+ years old obscure recording.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 05:45
Option 2. If the only way you can get an album is by forking out $40+ on ebay or Gemm, the artist isn't getting anything for it either way, so there's no point IMO (unless you want the hard copy). Otherwise, I think it's important that the artists get paid for what they're doing.

This is an interesting discussion topic, but I fear it will be closed very shortly (even though no one ever posts links to illegally uploaded music or anything that could get the site in trouble  Ermm)
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 06:14
 I feel guilt for the days I once downloaded music ..  I went through my whole collection and removed what isn't mine because I felt bad about it.  

Edited by Yorkie X - February 15 2009 at 06:25
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 06:15
I buy legal copies whenever available.

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Hercules View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 06:21
Originally posted by Sckxyss<br><br><b>This is an interesting discussion topic</b>, but I fear it will be closed very shortly (even though no one ever posts links to illegally uploaded music or anything that could get the site in trouble  <img src=smileys/smiley24.gif border=0 alt=Ermm title=Ermm />)
[/QUOTE Sckxyss

This is an interesting discussion topic, but I fear it will be closed very shortly (even though no one ever posts links to illegally uploaded music or anything that could get the site in trouble  Ermm) [/QUOTE wrote:




I think it is and there is no possible reason to close it down.

Given that we have lost many talented bands and artists (Martin Orford being one of the most recent) because they can't make a living, it's an issue we need to address.

I NEVER download (don't like mp3s at all) and n


I think it is and there is no possible reason to close it down.

Given that we have lost many talented bands and artists (Martin Orford being one of the most recent) because they can't make a living, it's an issue we need to address.

I NEVER download (don't like mp3s at all) and never will for ANY reason. I can understand the logic of doing it if there's no other way at all, but it's killing real music. Soon the only choice we have will be megastars who are wealthy and have industry backing and no hopers who do it for fun. Prog will die completely.

A friend's son's band made a 4 track EP which cost roughly £800 for 200 copies to record and press. Before they had sold 100 copies (at £4 each), someone put it on the internet on a free download site (a member of a rival band, we think). Result - no more sales and a nett loss, despite it being damned good. They can't afford to do another and have quit recording.


Edited by Hercules - February 15 2009 at 06:22
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 06:49
With new releases there's very little point in downloading these days since everybody is at Myspace with free legal songs to listen to. Sometimes even entire albums. Just a while ago I got interested in Stephen Malkmus & The Jicks, went to their Myspace site, listened to the four first songs of Real Emotional Trash and bought it the next time I went to the music store. If I know I like an artist's previous work I rarely bother to listen to samples, I just go and buy the album if I see some interesting reviews. If there's no way to legally hear sample songs of older albums I sometimes ask a friend who has the album to send me a song or two, and more often than not I end up buying the album anyway.

I voted for the second option.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 06:50
This thread will remain open until someone crosses the line. We don't forbid these kinds of discussions, but they never end well.
What?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 07:54
Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

This thread will remain open until someone crosses the line. We don't forbid these kinds of discussions, but they never end well.


Crosses what line? Never end well?

I really do take exception to these comments.

The purpose of this thread is to find out whether people think downloading someone's music for free without their consent is acceptable or not in any circumstances. It is also to highlight the consequences of doing so, which is that great musicians will pack up and that prog will suffer as a result. I absolutely am NOT condoning stealing. The topic was provoked by a conversation I had with Martin Orford a few weeks ago when ordering several albums from Giant Electric Pea, including his own  "The Old Road", during which he said that this was his last recording because he cannot afford to do it anymore. Given that I think The Old Road to be amongst the best 5 albums I've ever heard, I am worried about the effect of downloading on the future of a genre I love.

If that isn't a valid topic, then this site is a total waste of my time and I will go and find one where frank, open discussion is permitted.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 08:04
Well, it's maybe the hardest question I keep asking myself... Most of my music is downloaded. I chose the third option here, because if I could afford it, I'd certainly by CD without any loss of sound quality... But when average salary in the counrty is 150$, it's kinda hard... Then, second, here you won't find any original CDs unless you're very lucky. Most of them are Russian re-pressing of doubtful legality. i don't believe that money from these sales go to musicians. Then, not sure that some rules about "piracy" exist in my country, especially for imported music., they just don't care. Then, if it's available somewhere, I think it's just silly not to use it, IMHO. Oh, wait, it's mp3, so close your years... Then I can say I'm addicted to music and art in general... For example If I bought CDs, I'd have listened to couple of dozens of albums, and it would really slow my development (musical or intellectual), I think. For example, if you can't go to the european and american museums, woy won be able to see Dalis and Picassos pantings... Is it justice?!

Well there's a second side of medal... Musicians lose quite  abit from their earnings. But, you know, i think that people who download music (especially from developing countries) won't buy CDs if you ban dowloading. Just because of absent finances. So i don't think that this would make musicians earn more.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 08:22
I think bands should be happy people are taking interesting in their music by any means.I think everyone would choose to the buy the cd rather then download an mp3 but CDs can be expensive especially if the band is quite underground.I sympathise with people who download but I'd much prefer the CD. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 08:30
Originally posted by Hercules Hercules wrote:

Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

This thread will remain open until someone crosses the line. We don't forbid these kinds of discussions, but they never end well.


Crosses what line? Never end well?


Usually such threads get closed when people encourage others to use illegal downloading. Which IMO is not strictly necessary, because the threads always also contain enough posts with contrary views.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 08:43
As a former downloader (I stopped cold turkey and am on a mission to buy all the CDs I have downloaded without listening to the downloads) it seems as though people who download regularly don't do it to listen to the music but do it for other reasons. Looking back I think mine was getting a large library.
Every CD i've bought since then i've had to work for which in turn makes it far more special and often more enjoyable because one wants to put time into something one pays for. You also get (a lot of the time) fantastic liner notes and a choice of which master/remaster you want to buy whereas with downloaded CDs you get no information about the band leaving you somewhat detached from the product and you usually get the only remaster that is available and this may be the over compressed late 90's/00's version (Another reason why I think downloaders don't do it for listening pleasure).
Also, for those who say they can't afford it when they can afford to rent/buy a house, buy food or even pay for the internet connection to tell everyone that downloading is okay most likely can. My Dad used to work every morning to buy an album every fortnight and these are the albums that mean the most to him.
Sorry for going on but it's only once you get out of the downloading disease that you see how different and better things can be.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 08:49
Stealing is stealing, always will be.  It's one of those real curiosities how people have convinced themselves that by doing it electronically they are someone better than shoplifters.  They aren't.  But it is so ingrained now that you can't get them to understand that. 

They just keep on making up justifications all day long, and all of them matter not.  They're still stealing if they don't have permission of the artist and/or holder of the rights. 
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 08:54
I am with you 100% on this - I too have seen bands and artists suffer from illegal downloading. The PA stance on this matter is simple - no illegal activities,
Originally posted by Hercules Hercules wrote:

Originally posted by Dean Dean wrote:

This thread will remain open until someone crosses the line. We don't forbid these kinds of discussions, but they never end well.


Crosses what line? Never end well?

I really do take exception to these comments.
Well, don't - they are not directed at you
 
Originally posted by site rules & guidelines site rules & guidelines wrote:

5. No Illegal activities. Posts and threads promoting or facilitating file swapping, drug abuse, or any other forum of illegal activity are not permitted. Any such posts will be deleted, and the member warned.
 
Even though your are anti-downloading, there will be people responding to this subject taking the opposite view, giving reasons why they believe downloading is neither illegal nor wrong - which can be interpretted as promoting an illegal activity - however, that is seldom the reason why we are forced to close down these threads.
 
If you want to see how these discussions always end, search the forum and see the number of locked threads on this subject, (well, those that haven't been hidden anyway), discussions that have degenerated into little more than slanging matches - often it is not what is said that causes the thread to be locked, but how it is said that infringes site guidelines.
 
Originally posted by site rules & guidelines site rules & guidelines wrote:

2. No Personal attacks (flaming or trolling). Keep it civil, show respect at all times for your fellow members. Disagreement, debate, even "heated" discussion is fine (though emoticons should be used to "soften" the effect of words). However, personally directed insults, denigration, etc. will not be tolerated, and will be grounds for warning and, if not stopped immediately, ejection. This applies equally to forum posts AND private messages. "Group-directed" insults and denigration (e.g., racism, sexism, ageism, etc.) also fall under this category, any such behavior will be taken on a case by case basis. Any member who engages in continuous baiting, borderline insults, or other continuously "aggressive" behaviour will be warned. Any member found to be using concurrent multiple personae (more than one profile at the same time) will be ejected from the site.
 
IF this thread remains within the guidelines it will stay open.
 
Unfortunately on this subject those that illegally download will always find justification for what they are doing - when they feel challenged or threatened they retaliate.
Originally posted by Hercules Hercules wrote:


The purpose of this thread is to find out whether people think downloading someone's music for free without their consent is acceptable or not in any circumstances. It is also to highlight the consequences of doing so, which is that great musicians will pack up and that prog will suffer as a result. I absolutely am NOT condoning stealing. The topic was provoked by a conversation I had with Martin Orford a few weeks ago when ordering several albums from Giant Electric Pea, including his own  "The Old Road", during which he said that this was his last recording because he cannot afford to do it anymore. Given that I think The Old Road to be amongst the best 5 albums I've ever heard, I am worried about the effect of downloading on the future of a genre I love.

If that isn't a valid topic, then this site is a total waste of my time and I will go and find one where frank, open discussion is permitted.
As I have said, personnaly I have nothing against discussing this topic - it's just the way these discussions always go that concerns me - it is an emotive subject where both sides get angry.
 
What?
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Mr ProgFreak View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 09:01
^ What I often experienced is that those who engage in illegal downloading often get angry when others refer to it as "stealing".
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 09:12
When I was a student I had literally no other means of experiencing new music than to download it. I could only just cover my bills and had nothing spare to dish out on CDs. As a result of the bands I discovered through this means (most notably Cardiacs) I have subsequently spent a great many pounds on seeing them perform live. That's money I would not have spent had I not downloaded albums by them.

Personally, mp3s aren't enough. The money I HAVE spent on CDs (when I can afford to) usually goes on albums I already "own" in mp3 format. I'm sure the same goes for a lot of other illegal downloaders like myself.
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 09:15
Originally posted by Mr ProgFreak Mr ProgFreak wrote:

^ What I often experienced is that those who engage in illegal downloading often get angry when others refer to it as "stealing".


But that's what it is when you take something from someone without their permission.  Which is why its important to call it that.  Why sugarcoat it? 

If they can't handle people calling them on it, the obvious action is to stop, not to worry about the term. Wink


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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 09:17
I have a huge collection of music that was paid for.  I actually have a hard time getting my head around stuff that I have legally downloaded for free.  I still have to have a hard copy.  I can understand younger folks trying to get their hands on as much as possible but still, have some respect for the artists.  They're trying to make a living here.  I was young once and built up my collection the hard way.  Many a used LP.  I did occasionally cassette tape something from a friend that I didn't buy.  Even back then, if I really liked something I still had to get an original.

Edited by Slartibartfast - February 15 2009 at 09:35
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: February 15 2009 at 09:22
That's right.  When you can't afford something, you wait until you can.  Like anything else in our society.  You save your money and eventually you can build a collection..

How did we get to.....if I can't afford something.....I'll just take it.   And its OK because I might buy their stuff later if I like it.  

This topic drives me nuts.....and I can't discuss it without being completely blunt toward those who justify the actions....so, its best if I stay out of here.

Y'all have fun now!Smile
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