Connecting the dots

I indulge myself with a rewriting of an old text I used to post on internet forums... People who knows me ,knows I dislike Illegal Download (or DL).
So here's a bit of the 10 commandements about Illegal downloading (of whatever movies, music...)


1- It is illegal to download if not permitted.
Meaning, if it is not legal, it's illegal and therefore makes you a thief and guilty. Period. That's law.

2-Only the creator/owner of the art should be the one putting it on the net.
More than the downloaders, there's the people who put it on the net...The Uploaders. They should be the first to pay...It like dealing... Here lies the source of the Problem.

3-Majors ! Only thiefs who make money on the back of the artists.
You don't buy pricey CDs from filthy robbers majors... You rob the majors AND the artist. Who's the bigger thief ? Great solution.

4-I should be able to hear before buying.
Indeed that's why lots of great bands put free DL (and legal !) so you can get a taste of their music.If artists make that people can discover without buying first. Easy step to make everybody happy. On the other end you never ask for a sample of food at the restaurant. You go, you make your experience and taste and go there again or not.
4.1-I only like one song, won't buy the CD.
Well a system of Pay-per-song could be created on bands site or DL platforms.(if not already done)

5-This cannot be found in a store near my house.
Well if you can find it on the net/mule/torrent, you can really find it on a e-seller or the bands site (who should be SSL encrypted and up to date.)
5.1-This band is no more... can really find it or at incommensurable price.
Yeah, lost bands... Ican understand especially if nothing is still in sale, I can understand that one but that is really not the majority of music round here...
5.2 Live bootlegs and such.
Depends on the policy of the band ( who should be clear on that) Most bands I know accept recordings as long as it's not a show who's gonna be out someday and if it's not for sale.. Trading 's free I mean. At least the man who recorded paid for the show.

6-Madonna or the majors won't need my money with all the one they make.
Yeah right... except then the filthy majors won't make enough money, they won't fire Madonna or change habits. They won't sign younger artists, that is prise de risque (not risk free).And they fire the low ranks people...I mean, even when they make profits they do so. You don't buy and your neighbour is gonna end up fired. Madonna ? She's fine indeed.

7- It's too expensive.
Indeed, CDs are a medium that did not change for many years and even dvds are starting to lower their price. CD MUST cost less if it is too survive but well if you can't afford a car , you just steal it ?
7-1 I pay a tax of virgin CDs so Ialready pay for DL.
Yeah right? Sadly that tax (in France) exist because of DL. That's a vicious circle. But I pay it and I only use for safeguarding data. Should I get money back from you ? As well , they wanna make pay all internet provider as a tax. I don't DL why should I pay ? Always a case-by-case scenario at the end.

8-Access to culture and music should be free/inexpensive/obligatory...
Yeah right. Everybody should have a right to descent house, food, central heating and such. Not the point. It is culture but it is also the money-making job of people. Radios and free download can get you sample of culture and there's lot of legal stuff round here of culture. I mean, everybody should be allowed great sex...

9- I' ain't a robber.
Sadly illegal DL IS against the law, so people using it ARE robbers.And the 'funny' thing is that NO ONE I know DLing is feeling like a robber stealing like you steal an apple.
9.1 But I replicate there is no loss nor theft.
Yeah and the day your boss says he'll not pay you for answering the phone because well there's not product you're gonna be happy.
And that is finally one major problem cause you end up like that....

10-You are stupid to pay.
You can get anything on the net for free....Here the Problem, changes of mentality. People are feeling that if things are free, you are not stealing... And I met one of this a$$.... who was saying to my face I was stupid to buy the cds, that you can get all for free so paying is stupid. I was furious. Labor is not regarded as something to be paid.
10-1.10 Go of music.
And that's another problem finally 'cos people get lotsa and lotsa music for free and finally never listen to half of it... Compulsive eating people we are becoming and so many wonderful tastes for fine [i]palais [/i]around... Like those digital cameras; making tons of pictures but not real meaningful ones most of the time but more on this later.


So... here's some solutions about that. I wouldn't criticise only...

FROM THE MAJORS.
1.LOWER THE PRICE OF CDs.
CD has not evolve, even dvds is getting cheaper nowadays. They must follow the market and make a gesture.
1.1 MUTIPLY THE DISCOUNTS.
on the old catalog and such... lotsa things bit cheaper so all can buy...

2.PUT ON LEGAL DOWNLOADING
2.1 FREE FOR DISCOVERING
2.2 PAY PER SONG
For I wanna the single only.


FROM LABELS.
Same as above and promote well
1.MAKE THE STUFF AVAILABLE.
CDs and such... you can find them and buy them... is great.

FROM THE LAW.
1.GET THE NET PUTTER TO PAY.
First of all get the people putting on the net, slash their net access, make them pay.Not on the net, no DLor UL.
2.GET THE DLers TO PAY.
Prison is too harsh I can relate to that, but making them pay and more if they have lots of it.

FROM THE PEOPLE
1.BUY FROM THE BANDS
if you really want to support the people behind the music and not the majors, buy at concerts or on their wesite.
2. GO TO THE CONCERTS.
they make most of money there... if people come (hell sometimes they loose money playing for you guys).
3.BUY AT YOUR LOCAL STORE TOO.
Yes a bit less cheap than the net but at least you'll help people live too.

Thanks for bearing with me on that and remember... in the end if no Art is done everybody loose.