is it wrong to download music for free?

[xNubletx]

I believe if you like a group enough when you download their stuff, just go to the store and help them out a bit by purchasing their album. It's not too expensive... but for some it is. So, if you can sling the cash, pay for it too

[Weedguru_Fire_Inside]

if i just think a trac is cool to listen to now and then then i'll just download it, but if i think the bad are really talented then i will buy their album.

it matters not whetyher they need your money, it's whether they deserve it or not that matters.

[onelove-maryjane]

yeah i agree with you dude i buy albums from my favorites like rhcp

[No0n3]

I dload the album, if its good and im a fan, i buy the album and every album they make. I love encouraging young bands and REAL artists.
All "artists" were doing was making ONE good song out of 18. But now that dloading has lowered their sales, it forces them to develop a more complete and sound album.

Yep, I do that aswell. I am also more likely to buy it if it includes cool extras, and it isn't horribly overpriced (20+ euros/cd!).
I heard that if you really want to support an artist, go to their concert or buy merchandise. Apparently, the artist actually only gets a small fragment of cd sales, and the majority goes to record companies (which then funds the RIAA).
If you're interested in how the music business works, watch the movie/documentary "Before the Music Dies". It's shocking how music is controlled by corporations, and not artists.

[Rory]

The only way I buy CDs is second hand, and the artists don't get any royalties for a second hand CD, so I just download music anyways

[buttermilk]

I download almost all of my music. I don't feel bad about starting bands because you usually can't find their shit on bit torrent or whatever.
Only ever bought one CD in my entire life and I deeply regret it due to the fact that it was a shitty CD... : (

[dylann]

nah its okay to. anything i can get for free ill take usually. lol

[Weedguru_Fire_Inside]

i think everyone seems to be missing the point.

it's ok to get something for free, when it's offered. the band themselves do not offer you the choice to download their music, therefore it's immoral, and can be considered theft. now, i like free shit just as much as anyone else, but i have morals, and wont fucking steal from a hard-working musician

[WeedGuru_Flow]

^

Meh, I have countless of mp3's and I haven't payed anything for any of them, I don't feel bad about it.

I have 'em on mp3 'cause they're originally all on vinyl. And I don't feel like going out buying pricey vinyl records and then get me a turntable or pickup to play them you know... I buy cd's if the artist has them out, else I'll just download the songs

[SpRi7e]

I think it's pointless to buy CD's that only have 1 or 2 good songs on them because it's a huge waste of money, like most of the newer artists have 1 good song then the rest are SHIT, so that's another reason why I never buy CD's.

[Ikku]

but i have morals, and wont fucking steal from a hard-working musician

I have morals too, and I will steal from a hardworking musician. What's your point?

[onelove-maryjane]

i think he makes a good point. but there is a huge difference. lets take stealing something more common like....money. i honestly am proud to steal money or things like that from a big corporation like a chain grocery store or restauraunt. fuck it. they dont need it. theyre rich motherfuckers. but i could never steal alot of money from a nice local cornerstore or something because that money does matter to them. i guess you could compare that too music. i dont mind downloading music from somoene rich like say the red hot chili peppers. i buy cd's from artists who write theyre asses of to make money to live, and by live i mean this is theyre food and house money. im supporting them. if a bought a snoop dogg cd i would be supporting his addiction to bling or cars or something.

this may not make sense. i am high