I think I've posted here before. I don't know what I said before, but this is what I'm currently thinking about it at the present time.
I would look at illegal downloading the same way I would stealing a CD or DVD. You're taking the content with the intention of using it, without paying. Leaving out the usage of iTunes and other download services like that(Which, as mentioned before, only allow you to use their copy. Which means you're purchasing a license to access rather than the item itself) because they themselves have problems. I think that if the producer wanted their tracks, programs or games to be free distributed, they'd put them up for that themselves.
Open source programs could be seen as an example of this(Of course, the producers can generally use this method as a free way of testing the software-and therefore benefit- but let's leave this out). You have Open Office- a free open source office suite. You have this free option; why do you have to get Microsoft's version illegally? MS Office is better? Okay, but you can't afford it. You're not allowed have it in the eyes of the law just because you want it...
I see a lot of "I can't buy it without knowing that it's good myself" excuses being thrown around. I think there's always a risk with purchasing anything, even with prior notice(You could know the veggie seller for 10 years, and get a bogey potato off of him. You could like a band for years, any they release an album you buy which is quite shit).
Looking at this without the downloading involved(You cannot download a potato either way), you cannot taste this potato before you buy it. You cannot listen to this album before you buy it. Now, samples exist so you can cover this problem(Singles going on sale before the album, for example) but you should be wary of what you buy anyways.
Caveat Emptor is something I'd always use when purchasing anything.
People download illegally because- honestly- it's so much easier and accessible to do. You don't have the funds or resources(Though, I do find it a bit hard to believe that an area with a decent download speed wouldn't be within distance of a significant population where therein business will be founded,but I do live in the city) so you have to get the media you want through these means. Generally, I download Anime illegally. Now, I could buy these volumes of overdramatic Japanese animation but honestly, I don't have the resources to do so. IS there a place where I could get them? I'm sure I could find a local place, or use amazon.
The point is, I choose to download these media items illegally because of ease of use. I don't like the fact I'm stealing someone else's work without a payment, but I do it because I want it. That in upon itself is a bit of a immature way of looking at it imo- I want it! They owe it to me because I like their stuff but It's so hard to find. Meh, I'll just take it. One little download won't affect anything.
The prices and hoops you have to go through to get some of these items are- on the other hand- ridiculous. I remember GTA IV being 70 euro here when it launched. 70 euro. That's a crazy price, madness when you look at the 40-50 euro general prices for other games.
There's problems in the industry, but it doesn't mean I have a right to go out and download that game or movie because the price is too high, or it's not so easily accessible. Whether you can prove there is a deficit involved or not, I do think you're stealing someone else's creation...
Of couse, I download illegally. I can't be the kettle calling the pot black... But I'm certainly not going to say that it's in my rights to do this. I don't think it is at all.
TL;DR: Illegal downloading is taking something you haven't entitlement to, in my eyes. There shouldn't be any airs or graces of "Oh, I don't know if my purchase is a good buy or not therefore I deserve to get this for free without consent to test", because you really can't do that with a physical product...
P.S. Netflix and Spotify services have, apparently, affected piracy levels as of 2011:
https://torrentfreak.com/netflix-is-killing-bittorrent-in-the-us-110427/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...y-and-Netflix-curb-music-and-film-piracy.html
I think I missed the whole point of the current direction the debate is going, but who honestly gives a fuck?
I would look at illegal downloading the same way I would stealing a CD or DVD. You're taking the content with the intention of using it, without paying. Leaving out the usage of iTunes and other download services like that(Which, as mentioned before, only allow you to use their copy. Which means you're purchasing a license to access rather than the item itself) because they themselves have problems. I think that if the producer wanted their tracks, programs or games to be free distributed, they'd put them up for that themselves.
Open source programs could be seen as an example of this(Of course, the producers can generally use this method as a free way of testing the software-and therefore benefit- but let's leave this out). You have Open Office- a free open source office suite. You have this free option; why do you have to get Microsoft's version illegally? MS Office is better? Okay, but you can't afford it. You're not allowed have it in the eyes of the law just because you want it...
I see a lot of "I can't buy it without knowing that it's good myself" excuses being thrown around. I think there's always a risk with purchasing anything, even with prior notice(You could know the veggie seller for 10 years, and get a bogey potato off of him. You could like a band for years, any they release an album you buy which is quite shit).
Looking at this without the downloading involved(You cannot download a potato either way), you cannot taste this potato before you buy it. You cannot listen to this album before you buy it. Now, samples exist so you can cover this problem(Singles going on sale before the album, for example) but you should be wary of what you buy anyways.
Caveat Emptor is something I'd always use when purchasing anything.
People download illegally because- honestly- it's so much easier and accessible to do. You don't have the funds or resources(Though, I do find it a bit hard to believe that an area with a decent download speed wouldn't be within distance of a significant population where therein business will be founded,but I do live in the city) so you have to get the media you want through these means. Generally, I download Anime illegally. Now, I could buy these volumes of overdramatic Japanese animation but honestly, I don't have the resources to do so. IS there a place where I could get them? I'm sure I could find a local place, or use amazon.
The point is, I choose to download these media items illegally because of ease of use. I don't like the fact I'm stealing someone else's work without a payment, but I do it because I want it. That in upon itself is a bit of a immature way of looking at it imo- I want it! They owe it to me because I like their stuff but It's so hard to find. Meh, I'll just take it. One little download won't affect anything.
The prices and hoops you have to go through to get some of these items are- on the other hand- ridiculous. I remember GTA IV being 70 euro here when it launched. 70 euro. That's a crazy price, madness when you look at the 40-50 euro general prices for other games.
There's problems in the industry, but it doesn't mean I have a right to go out and download that game or movie because the price is too high, or it's not so easily accessible. Whether you can prove there is a deficit involved or not, I do think you're stealing someone else's creation...
Of couse, I download illegally. I can't be the kettle calling the pot black... But I'm certainly not going to say that it's in my rights to do this. I don't think it is at all.
TL;DR: Illegal downloading is taking something you haven't entitlement to, in my eyes. There shouldn't be any airs or graces of "Oh, I don't know if my purchase is a good buy or not therefore I deserve to get this for free without consent to test", because you really can't do that with a physical product...
P.S. Netflix and Spotify services have, apparently, affected piracy levels as of 2011:
https://torrentfreak.com/netflix-is-killing-bittorrent-in-the-us-110427/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technolo...y-and-Netflix-curb-music-and-film-piracy.html
I think I missed the whole point of the current direction the debate is going, but who honestly gives a fuck?