It clearly does matter to some people, Bonzo, so that was a remarkably stupid comment. Par for the course, I suppose...

The owner of the copyright to the CD is entitled to be paid for every copy of that recording, no matter whether it's an 'official' copy or a bootleg. Not my opinion, the law says so. And making a copy and giving it away denies the copyright owner a sale of the 'official' work.

I refer the Honourable Bw to my earlier remarks. 1) I'm not debating legality, because I don't have the knowledge to do so. And in any case, you say that they say... And I'm quite happy to take your word for it! Ethics is another matter, and each to their own. The only thing you get to say is "Your ethics are not my ethics".

2) Your last sentence cuts both ways - there are a number of albums and, indeed, bands that I would never have got into to were it not for copies. And I will quote myself (to save you scrolling back up) I've sometimes been given or lent a tape / etc. If I liked it, I've bought the original; if I didn't, I wouldn't have anyway. I'm not cheating anyone. If I've got into a band & bought several of their albums on the strength of one copy... I don't need to belabour the point, do I? It cuts both ways. So it may well be illegal, but it ain't necessarily unethical, despite your differing opinion.

Oh, and what about the second-hand market? I presume that the '15 ruling means that 60 years of flea markets & etc are now illegal? It may be the law, but the law, as Dickens pointed out, can also be an ass...