Should music sharing programs be legal?, Give me your opinion. Options

[Jen]

I am writing a paper for my music history class, and I just wanted the opinions of my fellow 6gc'ers.

What do you think about music sharing programs, such as Napster, Limewire, etc.? Do you think they should be legal (as in completely free)? And why?

Please, only educated replies.

I believe that they shouldn't be legal, because artists and bands work very hard to produce songs, and I don't think it's fair for the public to download an entire album for free. I do believe though, that if certain artists want to allow the public to hear their music free, they can. But artists that do not want their music to be free, should be blocked from the public.

What do ya'll think?

[uberschall]

what kills me is that many of the great classical composers died before their works were recognized. they toiled for years on pieces that seldom brought them financial gain.

now we have a bunch of spoiled, whiny, arrogant hacks who have fans that actually DO recognize them (for whatever reason) yet they complain that they don't get enough money.

it's a good thing that holst, beethoven, and so many others weren't in it for the money...we would not have music as we know it.

same could be said for any other arts. countless painters, poets, sculptors, and painters lived in poverty creating things that could have made them rich were their talents acknowledged sooner.

putting a price on music (or any art) is difficult, if not impossible. i haven't paid for a recording in years. don't get me wrong...it's okay for musicians to make money. put on a show that entertains and impresses me, and i'll pay to come see it. i have no problem with that.

but i'm all for free music.