Like just about everyone else has already pointed out, there is a thin line when it comes to downloading music. Myself, it is very rare that I will do it, and if I do, I can say that, generally, if I like the music I will purchase the CD after. Yes, even if it is for one song.
There are a few other instances that I condone downloading music that isn't paid for:
When bands actually put their music out there so that people can hear it and become acquainted with them. Quite a bit of the newer bands will do that so their music can be heard faster than it would be waiting for the radio to play it.
Extra tracks that, for some stupid reason, the folks that live in Japan get on their CDs but those of us in the US don't. It's either that or pay exorbitant amounts to order the Japanese version of a cds for those few songs that you can't buy anywhere in the US. I have looked on itunes and such, and I can't usually find the songs there either. Apparently, since such a large amount of the population there downloads music they figure that the only way to get them to buy the cds is to give them extra songs. Why is that fair to those of us that already buy their cds in other countries?
'Testing the music' as it were. I know that you can hear snippets of songs on places where you purchase CDs, but if you aren't familiar with the band at all, a 30 second snippet might not be good enough for you. Some bands will put full songs on their webpages, and that always helps me a great deal, but if they don't, then I'd still rather hear an entire song or two before I give them the $15-$20 for an entire CD. Like I said before, if I do like it, I will go out and buy the CD.
Also, what makes it so much different than those of us that grew up before cds were popular using a tape recorder to record all of our favorite songs off of the radio? I know I did it all of the time, but you can't do it as easily nowadays because most stereos don't have the record option on them.
That said, I do feel that it's fine for people to use p2p as a way to supplement to their music libraries, as long as their purchasing the music that they really like and supporting their favorite artists (especially the new artists), but I don't support the idea of strictly downloading music and not bothering to purchase anything.
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There are a few other instances that I condone downloading music that isn't paid for:
Also, what makes it so much different than those of us that grew up before cds were popular using a tape recorder to record all of our favorite songs off of the radio? I know I did it all of the time, but you can't do it as easily nowadays because most stereos don't have the record option on them.
That said, I do feel that it's fine for people to use p2p as a way to supplement to their music libraries, as long as their purchasing the music that they really like and supporting their favorite artists (especially the new artists), but I don't support the idea of strictly downloading music and not bothering to purchase anything.