Limewire, Napster, and Morpheus are all programs that you can download off the internet to download free music, thus eliminating the need to buy records and CDs. Many musicians are furious that they are losing profits because of these "music pirates." They have filed lawsuits against people they catch downloading music, but it still hasn't stopped the increasing amount of illegal downloading that is occurring. However, some people don't agree that it is "illegal." I personally download most of my music off of Limewire, but I also buy CDs of my favorite bands. I believe that downloading music off of the internet should be allowed and that in the end it could possibly benefit musicians.
Many musicians are complaining that they are losing profits because of this new fad of getting free music off the internet. Their inventory of ten million dollar homes and 750 thousand dollar cars keeps expanding, yet they are still complaining that they are losing money. Many of the bands that are complaining about profit loss are the "sell-out bands", the bands that care only of profit and not their fan base. Music should be played for the love of music and not the money. Bands are still making more money than most people can even dream of making, so they are financially dependent making 10-20 million dollars a year.
In an article written by Jennifer Beauprez, a journalist from the Denver Post, titled "Recording Industry Has Though Sell to Beat Free Music", she tries to sway people into believing that they are thieves and that they are going to be prosecuted for their "crimes." She also says that "...the numbers of people breaking copyright laws is a sad statement on the society's lack of respect for moral behavior" (Beauprez 1). Beauprez believes that ruling be fear is the only way that the record industry is going to halt "illegal" downloading of music. Suing a select few high volume users is not going to stop the other "655 million files" that are downloading.
The recording industry is just making a pitiful attempt at trying to get more money, so they can buy a couple more Lamborghini's for themselves.
While recording companies and musicians are losing money, they should possibly make profits up for it in the long run. By getting music for free, people are able to sample the bands music, and if they like it, they can go and buy the CD. Nobody would want to spend their money on something they don't like. If a musician or record company wants to increase the profit they get by selling CD's, they should add bonus features or something along those lines to create an incentive for consumers to purchase that CD.
Honestly, how can you blame someone for wanting to get something for free? Given the opportunity, any human being would take something for free over having to give something up to get it. By downloading music off the internet, virtually every band has increased fan bases, thus making more profits in merchandising.
As I have several friends in bands with varying degrees of success (one band has a few music videos and has done a number of cross-country and cross-continental tours).
That is besides the point, while im sure they would rather people BUY their cd's as oppose to download music free off the 'net, it's the record companies that make the money off cd sales. Bands and artists make zilch.
In Canada, the HIGHEST paid artist for percentage of a cd sale is Celine Dion. She gets roughly $1 for each cd bought.
Your average band (and yes im including Avril Lavinge, and other 'current big star artists' as your avg. band) gets around 10 - 25 cents per cd.
That is why bands tour, touring and selling merchandise (tshirts, hats, patches, stickers etc.) is how bands make THEIR money.
It is recording companies that are freaking out over their massive losses, although in all honesty DROP CD PRICES.
I do buy cd's now and again, but id be alot more likely to buy them more often if i could only have to pay $10 instead of $25 - $30 for a cd with 12 songs.