This is very similar to another thread the other day, and my opinion hasn't changed. I'm still with Big Mick and George; stealing is stealing.

Big music companies may be ruthless and everything that goes with it, but I don't think this gives us the right to steal something that isn't ours.

If I think drinking in my local boozer is too expensive I don't order the pint. I don't drink it and then say I'm not going to pay for it. You can say its different, but it isn't. Copyright law is just as valid as any other form of ownership.

The best modern day example is probably Tesco's, 12.5% of the TOTAL UK high street market, and I'm sure they are as cutthroat as any music company. But because all of their products are tangible and you can hold them in your hand, I bet nobody here would admit to walking out of a store without paying for any of it, even if the suppliers of the products (i.e. the equivalent of the artists) get screwed over along the way.

By the way, harpgirls questions about copyright come down to just that, its about copying it. Yes you can play it to someone but you cannot copy it. Essentially you have bought the plastic disc with a single copy of that piece of work, but you have not bought the rights to the work. i.e. its not yours to do with as you will. Its just like a patent - your not allowed to copy it.

I also don't but the cost argument anymore. I've not paid more than a tenner for a CD for ages which I think it pretty good value.

I think Gillian Welch wrote the song 'Everything is Free' about this, have a listen.