Downloading, To Me, Is Not Too Fergilicious

The very mention of the words “downloading” and “filesharing” in any conversation are liable to spark a debate right on the spot. The topic of copyright infringement has been one of the hottest and most controversial since it has become so easy for the average person to obtain illegal copies of media on the Internet. There are two parties involved in this argument; the first is the artist/producer/whoever is in possession of the copyrighted material, and their best interest is to put out a product that can be stored as media on a computer, but not to lose money when people illegally download the product instead of purchasing it. The opposing side is the consumer, mainly the average person, whose best interest is to obtain the media he or she desires in the cheapest possible manner, which is usually illegal downloading (free!) The problem with this issue has been how to compromise so that both sides get a fair shake, and a thorough solution has been elusive since the beginning. Another major concern is that many people do not fully understand the consequences and seriousness of the offense, as many myths and rumors are constantly floating around about what “fair use” really means in legal terms (Brady).
When debating this issue, one will not likely bring anything new to the table unless he or she first chooses a side. I say this because I have personally been in conversations with people who are neutral about the topic, and it generally goes in circles and no one even comes close to suggesting a solution. “It’s really unfair to the artists who worked so hard on their product…” “…but I love downloading songs I have like a million on my computer now.” A conversation like that is simply restating the problem that has been in question for over a decade now. Therefore, the side I will choose is that of the artist or owner, albeit I know it is not a popular side outside of the entertainment industry and especially nowhere near a college campus. Sure, I have illegally downloaded music in the past, and I even presently have about 25 downloaded songs on my computer. Compared to the majority of my generation, however, that number is laughable. On the other hand, my CD collection, (yes, small metallic objects known as “compact discs” that also hold music) is quite impressive.
So what is the reason that I will always go out and buy a new CD rather than just download the single (most everyone who even uses iTunes downloads singles and not albums)? Stupidity? Ignorance? Stubborness? The argument for any of the three could be made I suppose. The real reason is that I do not believe in downloading or obtaining something for free that is not rightfully yours to have. Aw, how adorable, right? Most college students could not give a-you-know-what about possessing something that is not “rightfully” theirs. There are not too many levels to this point in my argument, however. To be put simply, once you start to understand and get a feel for the way the business world works, even the way life works in general, it is not always about having as much as possible for as cheap as possible. Yes, this aspect of life dominates many decisions we make. If I like an artist’s music, however, I have enough respect for what they have done to purchase the CD for $11. (A whole different argument could be started right here about where people buy their CDs. My advice: go to shows, go to record shops, do not go to FYE and pay $19.99 for Led Zeppelin IV which has been out for 36 years). After all, the artist and the record companies are primarily considered with the first sale. Once that first sale is made, it is your decision to do anything you want with your copy of the material.
The second reason I do not illegally download music is that I think people (and sometimes artists) today often completely miss the point of an album. An artist puts out an album, record, CD, whatever you want to call it these days. What he or she does not put out is an iTune. While I believe iTunes is a really great idea, and as we all know is greatly beneficial to the problem but still not the solve-all, I would hope by the time we all reach the collegiate level, we understand the business of music enough to know that singles are face-value smoke and mirror tricks to lure in half-awake potential consumers. Very rarely are the singles the best material on the album. And while iTunes certainly does give one the option of purchasing the album, I have rarely encountered anyone who purchases full albums online on a consistent basis.
So my suggestion for fixing the problem is that everyone decides to just be honest and fair and experience music in more than just a knee-jerk ADD-like reaction? Well, let’s word that differently. My hope is that once everyone reaches the collegiate level, some of these big-business marketing schemes will start to sink in, and people will just in general grow and become smarter about their music and the way society in general should work. I think limiting the problem is much more feasible than actually stopping it altogether. What can you do about 12 year old girls with access to LimeWire and Kiss 98.5? Not too much.


Brady, Kevin S. Coypright FAQ: 25 Myths and Misconceptions. Retrieved Feb. 2, 2007 from https://ublearns.buffalo.edu/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?tab=courses&url=/bin/common/course.pl?course_id=_39998_1.