The reason I used to download was to sample songs for CDs to buy, and to download out of print materials.

The first is making strides - you can find samples for most current CDs out there somewhere legally.

However, until the recording companies (and RIAA) gets their collective heads together and start making out of print material available, I will never be able to feel that anything was wrong about the downloading I did. No, the artist did not make a profit. But in a situation where that is no longer possible, the second best thing happens - the artist's music is being listened to and enjoyed again.

Plus, there's no attempt by the RIAA or anyone else to address the other class of downloading I have done - material I currently own. By my rights as a purchaser, I'm allowed to make copies for my own personal use. This never gets mentioned, but most of my friends do the same thing. We download songs that we already own, because the computer may not be convenient to the stereo... or because our roommates wish to listen to something else... or so we can listen to the songs on headphones while browsing/playing whatever.

There are still many issues to be addressed. Some have to do with fitting persecuting P2P users for things they legally are allowed to do. Others involve access to back material, and the artist's wishes. Some have to do with RIAA itself, and it's failure to provide adequate payment for many of it's members.

It's not a simple call.

M