Reggae collectors and the ethics of downloading music
February 19th 2007 00:58
There is a plethora of ways to get free reggae music on the net at the moment and the argument rolls on between those who believe the owners of the music should be receiving royalties for this music, meaning consumers should be paying for it, and those who believe free music expands people's interest and therefore results in purchases as the intererest develops.
Podcasting, where songs are played back to back, seems to have been the latest thing used to get around the issue of downloading albums of music, but really, it is just the same thing. Splitting a podcast up is pretty straightforward, if you can be bothered.
This debate is going to continue for some time, there is no doubt. I tend to think that allowing some music to be downloaded is a good thing. At the moment I am poor, and without free music, I wouldn't be able to get my fix during this time of study. I think it is important for my interest to be maintained, so that when I have a teaching position I can start buying music again.
From my experience, the people who download music, also buy music. However, there isn't enough money in one person's pockets to buy all the music out there. So what do you do, not listen to that band? I know as a band member, I would prefer someone to listen to my band for free than not listen because they couldn't afford to buy the album.
I do understand the other side of the argument, but until we eliminate the middle person's (read: record companies) influence and reduce their cut of the $$, I am not going to expand this understanding to feeling sorry for them.
Podcasting, where songs are played back to back, seems to have been the latest thing used to get around the issue of downloading albums of music, but really, it is just the same thing. Splitting a podcast up is pretty straightforward, if you can be bothered.
This debate is going to continue for some time, there is no doubt. I tend to think that allowing some music to be downloaded is a good thing. At the moment I am poor, and without free music, I wouldn't be able to get my fix during this time of study. I think it is important for my interest to be maintained, so that when I have a teaching position I can start buying music again.
From my experience, the people who download music, also buy music. However, there isn't enough money in one person's pockets to buy all the music out there. So what do you do, not listen to that band? I know as a band member, I would prefer someone to listen to my band for free than not listen because they couldn't afford to buy the album.
I do understand the other side of the argument, but until we eliminate the middle person's (read: record companies) influence and reduce their cut of the $$, I am not going to expand this understanding to feeling sorry for them.
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Comment by Suzie Ska
I buy an average of 4 cds (sometimes more) each pay from the net, and download as much new music as I can. My reason for downloading is to broaden my collection. My reason for purchasing is to own the album or EP and I hate it when I can't get a CD for a band I've downloaded (old "no-longer" bands)
Normally I will first try a dowloading agent, but as we all know some music just can't be found on someone elses PC who's using the net at the same time as you - so next I go to the bands myspace and look for free downloads, which will also lead to their website where you can often find other different songs to download also under the permission of the band.
There are few cds that I have bought without wanting to hear/get to know some of the music first.
It's a give and take relationship, really.
- Suzie