Welcome my Interwebs!

This post is my response to THIS ARTICLE so go check it out when you can, it rather interesting!
And for those lazy-asses out there the article talks about a guy called Frank Moorhouse who’s suggesting that instead of punishing those who download media illegally and attempting to prevent this issue altogether. We instead try and work along side it by getting the original artist paid WHEN we download certain media (e.g. Music, movies…).

Whilst I think this is a good idea there is a lot that bothers me about this idea and statement.

There is a system where we can download and pay for media, in fact there are multiple systems such as; itunes, spotify, netflix and even youtube is in on the game. I think the issue that everyone here thinks is present is the idea that purchasing media by hand now is considered cumbersome and dreadfully annoying, but that is not the case. The real issue here is that – especially here in Aus – they really charge a load for media, actually no, rephrase, we just don’t have enough money to spend on something that we could get for free to begin with and we’re willing to risk it.

I mean, I could spent 99cents/$1.29 on a song on iTunes or I could find it online for free? Which option would you choose? I mean it’s not like I wouldn’t purchase something online, but that would mean that I completely support the artist/creator… or that I couldn’t find it for free… YOU GET THE IDEA. Anyways, I’m not saying that stealing is good, but people have to be reasonable and understand that the majority (not everyone of course) will take the free option. I could be wrong, but that’s what I’ve been lead to believe, especially when prices can be quite high. Once I tried purchasing an audio book… for $50 (approx), a single audio book for $50??!?!?! But it only took me 2min to find a free version online that wasn’t even pirated!

If people want to find a system where we’re not going to steal or pirate and just plain buy their media to support the artists then they need to find a balance between pricing and controlling websites who pirate their creations. I mean if they charged me $5 for that bloody audiobook then I wouldn’t have hesitated in purchasing it, same if it was for a movie or if a song on iTunes was 50cents instead. I know that I might be sounding unreasonable or crazy, but this industry must understand why we would choose to steal content above all else. And maybe Moorhouse trying to get this point across, but I feel that even if individuals do make media cheaper to purchase there will always be those out there who are looking for a free option. And so unless ALL the free content is taken off the internet (which would be near impossible) or the world wide web was taken down we may never be able control the flow of free and illegal content.

I don’t think piracy is going to kill the music industry. But digital technology and the ability to download will change the packaging from CDs to a single-based business.
– Richard Parsons