True, it’s not technically “stealing” but I’d say it’s the closest yet. It’s the equivalent of standing in HMV with your laptop open and BitTorrent fired up, and getting the staff to recommend music for you to download right in front of them.

You may not be “stealing” any actual products from Amazon using the tool, but you are essentially using their huge investment in the website and recommendation engine, without giving anything back.

Noghar, I went to see Neil Gaiman speak recently, and he had an interesting perspective on your problem: http://www.openrightsgroup.org/2008/10/24/come-see-neil-gaiman-talk-in-london-tonight/

Its rather delicious seeing trendy left wing youngsters developed to have no respect for any laws by trendy left wing educators stealing from trendy left wing artists… Every song pirated from Madona is just wonderful.

Seriously I happen to think that a system of copyright for life + 10 is reasonable. I have given up buying CD’s of music because of DRM, I do not buy files of music because its a pain, different formats, inability to use in different players etc. and DRM again. I hate fair use being undermined, why can’t I copy a DVD so that I do not have them stolen from the car DVD player.

Its a mess in all ways

Why do some manufacturers of cd/dvd burners i.e Sony, also represent & publish the music of artists that their hardware is making so easy to copy.
If I were a musician. I’d be asking ‘OK who did I sign the deal with, Jeckyll or Hyde?’

It’s the dirt-cheap hardware which makes no attempt to put obstacles in the consumer’s way, making it a win-win for the pirates. Some software such as Nero does attempt to block copying of copyright materia. So many alternatives to Nero etc, cost nothing and don’t even try to block the use of copyright stuff. Another win-win for the pirates.

I still don’t understand what all the fuss is about. I read somewhere once that downloading will be the death of music. How can it be when musicians and artists like myself write and perform music not for money…But for something else far more rewarding… fun and entertainment!
Musicians and artists a few generations back couldn?t even record music! But they still created it and made a bit of cash from entertaining people. Music has been around thousands of years and is a strong social glue. Do we really need to be slapped with the label of stealing music when we all sing “happy birthday” etc…Freddie Mercury, Frank Sinatra, Kurt Cobain, Jimmy Hendrix, John Lennon and Bob Marley certainly don’t live on because how much money they made throughout their career. And they would always have been making music and playing in pubs and clubs even if they weren?t megastars.
I think its brilliant that I have access to a million different artists and can find new ones on a daily basis (how is this possible with the old fashion radio and purchasing music model) If I really like and respect the band they’ll probably make a bit of money from me going to see one of their shows. But if they are half way decent they’ll build up respect and a fan base. Why is money the most important thing? Can’t musicians work in other industries and just create music as a sideline? Professional music is so cheap to create and produce in your own bedroom. Why can’t a free model work? I’m not starving and hungry and I can still pay my mortgage – but I write and give my songs away for free. This is the modern world get used to it. Things change! Technology changes everything and it’s attitudes that need to move with the times not stay stuck in the past? Check out simonband.co.uk if you get the chance. Cheers!

Isn’t it the uploaders that are the problem rather than the downloaders?

Until there’s universal cooperation between countries about identifying and allowing extradition (where court appearances are required) there’s unlikely to be progress.
Then there’s the issue of the non-techies who don’t know or care, that their wireless networks are using weak or non-existent encryption, which makes the uploader’s life that much simpler.

A far more effective method would be to remove filesharing domains from the DNS server records. The last time I checked there is gov’t control of ICANN.

technogeist … With the old model people still had to seek out the gems from a sea of crap. There has and always will be crap on the airwaves and in the shops. But it’s all based on your own personal viewpoint about what is good and what is bad. There was less choice than today because less people could afford the fees to record and there were a lot less outlets for musicians. You had to have big record industry backing or you’d get no where. Today anyone can make a record and anyone can put it online and anyone can publicise it. And feel proud of what they have created. Good music will always spread by word of mouth. I really do not believe things will be like multi channel TV because on line music is much more of a social thing and can be spread. Sure you can get swamped by the multitude of choice but that’s what’s so good about it being online – you can get recommendations for other artists you may be interested in.
And any way the point is not about having too much choice because that will come from an internet based model – whether you pay for it online or get it for free.
I believe the choice will still be excellent because 1) all the many years of music are available freely and 2) People will perpetually create and put music online because they can and will and because music is fun!!!
The public don’t have a problem with free music. Most of the artist’s don’t have a problem with it. Get your music for free and go pay to see the artists and buy their T-Shirts. (If they are after money). Or just get their music for free because we will keep making it despite not making any money from it. Forget the old model because it’s on the verge of being history. There is absolutely nothing that can be done about that. Move on and cut out the record industry because it is such a restrictive institution!