[jayef]

So I should be tied to an antiquated method of distribution which forces me to pay monopoly prices? No thanks. I believe the market will solve the problem. If you would prefer that the state and a handful of media conglomerates solve the problem for you, then have at it.

You know, we're not all out here downloading Britney Spears and Metallica. There are actually folks (both artists and consumers) who thrive on this form of communication. Not all downloaders are criminals, so please get that idea out of your head.

Some of us are out here making music and listening to music that our peers make. Who are you to tell us that we can't do that?

[John Robertson]

"So I should be tied to an antiquated method of distribution which forces me to pay monopoly prices? No thanks. I believe the market will solve the problem. If you would prefer that the state and a handful of media conglomerates solve the problem for you, then have at it."

I will concede that you should win an award of some sort for having strung together a record number of cliches and tired arguments, above.

"You know, we're not all out here downloading Britney Spears and Metallica. There are actually folks (both artists and consumers) who thrive on this form of communication. Not all downloaders are criminals, so please get that idea out of your head."

Actually, all downloaders are criminals, per copyright law. The issues are methods of enforcement. You don't like them, try to change them without breaking the law. And just because you call stealing "communication" doesn't make it noble. Dude.

"Some of us are out here making music and listening to music that our peers make."

Artist power, yeah, that's it! How many ways can you say garage band, anyway?

Sidebet: If you were a musician of great success, and sat down with your accountant and he told you that you were losing $80 grand a month because of worldwide downloading, I think you'd drop your We Are The World of Music position in a hot nanosecond. (And don't go with, You don't care about "commercial success," because every musician who ever said that was a liar.)

"Who are you to tell us that we can't do that?"

I'm the guy who knows you're thief.