--Previous Message--
: As I sit here typing, a phenomenon you may or may not be aware of
: is occurring in electronic media. Contrary to what you may have
: heard, or what some people have said, this phenomenon is not
: going to go away, and in fact, will be the defining
: characteristic of the new era in the technological world. I am
: talking about illegal downloading.
:
: In the past 10 or so years, the spread of file sharing programs
: has rendered the conventional business model for selling music
: and software programs obsolete. Some of these programs you may
: have heard of - programs and websites like Bearshare, Ares,
: Frostwire, Limewire, Bittorrent, Pirate Bay, Isohunt, and others
: are now the dominant way for the acquisition of both music and
: software.
:
: At this point, 95% of music is downloaded online without paying.
: The cd is dead. Online music stores like iTunes and Rhapsody are
: hardly hanging on to a sliver of the music market, and everyday
: others leave for aforementioned programs. The music industry
: doesn't want you to know this. They have spent a fortune trying
: to sway public opinion that this trend is only temporary, and
: that with the proper government regulation and a healthy public
: awareness campaign, they can end this problem.
:
: OoohHH, how wrong they are. Hardly anyone below 25 pays for
: music anymore. There is actually a huge negative stigma on those
: that purchase music. You're seen as "paying the man"
: for something you can and should get for free. The public ad
: campaign launched by the RIAA is absolutely laughable. They are
: never going to be able to stop it.
:
: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUCyvw4w_yk&feature=related
:
: The arguments that the RIAA makes against downloading are
: laughed down by anyone even mildly familiar with downloading.
:
:
: 1. Downloading music will give you viruses.
:
: Response: A decent firewall or anti virus program will keep you
: clean, and you should only download music that is "at the
: top of the list". Many viruses, trojans, and malware are
: planted by RIAA agents to discredit download sources, and this
: only stirs up anger towards them.
:
:
: 2. Downloading hurts artists.
:
: Response: Large artists with high volume songs are hurt the
: most, but music downloading helps smaller bands by increasing
: their exposure. It's hard for people to feel guilty about this
: when they know only a few cents on every download goes to the
: artist.
:
:
: 3. It's stealing and uncool to download.
:
: Response: With a product that can by duplicated for no cost,
: it's no wonder that people will take it for free. Coolness is
: and always will be fighting against the man, and thumbing your
: nose at big companies is something every kid loves to do.
:
:
: The music industry is petrified about the future, with good
: reason to be. The future of music is going to be bands
: realeasing their music for free, and making their money on
: merchandise and touring. In other words, the middle man is cut
: out and the large music companies are left cold.
:
: The newest trend is downloading software from the internet. This
: is an emerging problem that has the potential to hurt companies
: like EA and Blizzard.
:
: For anyone with holdings in companies that rely on conventional
: methods to produce and distribute software, music, and movies,
: please be aware that the future is going to be very perilous for
: your investment. Regardless of whether it is right or wrong, a
: whole generation is growing up used to not paying for electronic
: media. The older customers are dieing out, and they will take
: the old music industry with them.
:
:
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