[oclug] Music Downloading and Copyright

[Brad Barnett]

On Fri, 2 Apr 2004 12:28:11 -0500
Ross Jordan <rjordan at numb.ca> wrote:

> > 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.

The other side of this has been people's constant complaint over the
inability to purchase just the tracks they desire.