Alinea

I just wanted some of us to put ourselves in the shoes of the musicians. The service sector of the economy is large, so most of us probably fall into it. Others actually create products everyday. Either way, if the economy says people are paid for these things (service and products), then pay...or come up with another (fair and equitable) system.

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♥ Aaron Lewis ♥

Ouroboros

Actually, the music biz stradles both sectors. From my perspective, it's a service industry. People come to me to create and market their products, and I assist them in doing so.

Then, there's all the equipment it takes to produce and preform the music. And let's not forget all of the hardware/software we need to update yearly just to stay in-the-game.

Folks, when you buy a CD, read the liner notes. Those people get paid. Good music costs big money.

GurnBlanston

I disagree. To make two pints, you need enough to make two pints and therefore your overhead goes up. Since digital music exists as bits on some silicon, it did not require the manufacturing of a medium. Therefore no one is out any money. The question is, would the person who got a copy spent money if he had to. It's an honor based question but covers the dichotomy much better than the "two pint" explanation.
Truth is, artists don't make crap off of record sales. Artists like Paul McCartney found that they could make more if they turned to online distribution. The only hold the music ind has over artists is distribution. Nowadays, artists have a way around that and I support it 100%. In some cases, they lease the permission to sell to retailers (inDVD's case, many supermarkets, with music the big one is Starbucks) and let the retailer assume the responsibility to manufacture the medium (which is getting dirt cheap today). Supermarkets print and copy their own DVD for sale and Starbucks distributes and online artists are starting to see favor with todays tech savy consumer. Finding the rewards being a loyal fan base. I think the record ind sees this and is scared shitless. Read up on just how scary the DRM software is getting. It's ridiculous.
Look, I'm not trying to rip off artists, I'm a musician, I understand. But I won't support the current system that rapes me and gives pitence to the bands. And if it takes acts of digital civil disobedience, so be it.