Does file sharing really hurt artists, or the RIAA companies?
Question by Nick H: Does file sharing really hurt artists, or the RIAA companies?
The RIAA has been justifying its crusade against “thieves” by saying it is equivalent to shop lifting a CD from a store and in the end hurts the artists. But, my perception is that it just hurts over-inflated corporations that stand between artists and consumers. I know that someone needs to pay for the production equipment and staff to make good recordings, but the big four companies of the RIAA have such a strangehold on CD sales and promotions that if you don’t sign your soul to them as a musician you don’t have a chance. Bands on average only make $ 0.30 in royalties from each CD as well, which the RIAA announces it will decrease. Music is a wonderful product of human creativity that I think should be shared with the world, not being “owned” by a few very powerful companies. In my opinion, file sharing will transform the music scene in a good way with more artists getting exposure, and more emphasis on live concerts with good musicians not pop icons. Would love feedback.
Thanks for your responses so far guys. Just thought I would add a few more of my comments. If I were an artist, sure I would want to get paid not ripped off but in my opinion I would make more money at live concerts if more people were exposed to my music. As for the stealing issue, I consider it stealing in a legal, technical way but not in a moral way, if that makes any sense. If you take the RIAA’s rational and run with it, they should be suing people for listening to their friends CD because they are “stealing” the content they didn’t pay for. It just seems counterintuitive to have such a corporate framework surround and smother artistic creations. I don’t see book publishers going after the pirated ebooks. Just my thoughts, I love everyone’s response whether you agree or disagree.
Best answer:
Answer by ben_of_marlow
It hurts the RIAA and the record labels more than in hurts the actual artists. As you said, artists get a very small part of the royalties.
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