Music Monthly May 2014 | Page 10

Downloading illegal music off the internet

Downloading illegal music off the internet for free has been a problem in today's society for a long time. The expansion of internet and the speed that files can be spread and downloaded has made moving music files extremely easy for those willing to do it. You could get access to music around the world in just a few minutes and wouldn't have to pay a dime for it. Of course there is always another side to the story where people are fed up of loosing in sales because of illegal music files. So what is right after all?

The concept of downloading free music off the internet is considered stealing the rights to the songs which may lead to financial fines and penalties. But still many people do this. Could it be that the law which we have right now is outdated and that the times of buying CDs are gone?Whatever it may be, it is still stealing from the artist who put their efforts and work into making the songs and album. But since so many people do it maybe it should be made legal.

The point of view of the artists and song writers should not be forgotten. The main concern for these people is money. The money they get from album sales is compromised by pirate music downloads from the internet. So is it just the greed and lust for money that drives the artists? Many of these artists make more then they need to earning hundreds of millions a year. Besides making the music accessible for free on the internet would just spread the publication of an artist and possibly make them more money through other means, such as concerts and advertisements.

There is also one more completely legal aspect that is bringing down the CD sales. All kinds of free music browsing programs and applications are being created all the time. These applications are surely going to replace the album sales system. Many businesses have been shut down because of development in technology. Maybe it is time for the CD business too?

The music album business is out of date causing people troublesome times having to buy all the music, while it can be accessed easily on the internet even in some cases for free. People are downloading the music illegally because of the inconvenience buying a CD will cause them. Everyone wants their music electronically and not on Cd's. Many people listen to their music on computers or phones, Cds are just a way of accessing the music and after transferring it to a computer the CD becomes close to obsolete. Also artists won't be suffering from hunger because their album sales aren't as big as they used to be. There are many other means they can make a living. The truth is that the music album business is coming to its end and there will be revolution in the music business because of programs like Spotify. It would just save everyone from the inconvenience of not being able to get their music off the internet for free and relieve everyone from the lawsuits on illegal music. The online free downloading of music material should be legalized.

Elias Peltonen