[oclug] Music Downloading and Copyright

[Ross Jordan]

> For example, you start by saying:
> 
> "If the ability to copy that CD didn't exist, the kid in all likelihood,
> would never have bought the CD anyway, so these losses are all just made
> up garbage."
> 
> and in the same paragraph you say:
> 
> "compunded by the fact that in so many cases, a copy of a CD has led to
> the *purchase* of that CD."
> 
> with the reasoning:
> 
> "This purchase may never have been made without the ability to have a
> listen first."
> 
> Considering the fact that the user has heard said music on the radio, or
> TV, or various other forum, people do not often need to download a cd of
> music in order to determine if they want that music.  In fact, I would
> strongly suggest that most people have already heard the music they are
> downloading, unless it is from a very obscure source.
> 
> Therefore, in the case of any artist on the airwaves, your entire
> reasoning above does not apply.  It is also backed by the assumption that
> people are buying CDs after downloading them.  This may or may not be the
> case, but there is no valid data either way.  However, I reiterate, the
> need to download a CD in order to "try" it is not necessary in order to
> decide if you like an artist that gets any airplay.  You already know.

I agree with most of what you said -- except music that receives airtime
is typically only the 1 or 2 tracks from an album that are considered
"singles". I have in the past downloaded the rest of an album to determine
if the album as a whole is worth purchasing.

-Ross