Since we don't have any real topic for this week, I guess I'll just talk about something I've been thinking about a lot lately: copyright law.
Honestly, I think it's really lame that a lot of artists (and their labels and producers, etc) get ripped off because people illegally download music. Songs are created by combining the forces of talented musicians, songwriters, and producers that need to make a living. By taking this music for free, consumers are denying the musicians compensation for their hard and appreciated work.
I think copyright law is so important because it protects the value of someone's- or a group of people's- creative work.
Sure, in this day and age there is more to being an artist than recording music. You can go on tour (anyone seeing Jay-Z this weekend? Can't wait!), start your own fashion line, be in movies, and make all sorts of public appearances. However, it is important that talented musicians get compensated for what the public is using: their music.
Plus, when you download music illegally the sound quality usually sucks which really ruins the song.
I do think it's a good idea for a lot of rising artists to use websites like Myspace to play their music to the public, and it's fine that some musicians offer free downloads of their songs to get the word out about them. But that's different.
What bugs me the most is when people sell counterfeit goods. They make copies of CDs and then sell them (at flea markets, for example) for a few bucks. The people copying and selling these CDs aren't contributing to the production of the music. They are stealing from the creative and hardworking people in the music industry and not adding anything to society. But it costs close to nothing to make copies of CDs, so these criminals make bank. I don't think any legal theorist would be OK with that.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I do agree it take a lot of talent for artists and musicians to create songs. But I don’t have a problem of people downloading their music online. I personally feel if your music as an artist is good consumers will buy the artist album. For example I downloaded some Jay-z songs before the album came out and then I went to the store and purchase it. Some artists leak their tracks on the internet on purpose because they want their fans to hear their music and then the fans go out and buy their albums. I know it hurts the music industry a little but if your music is good consumers will by your albums.
ReplyDeleteI agree that artists and musicians should be compensated properly for their work. However, I don't have a problem with downloading music. Most of the music I listen to, the artist provide free downloads so that we can listen to it and perhaps buy the CD if we like it. It goes hand in hand with advertising. Free advertising!
ReplyDelete