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[zakoh02]

I have never understood the "I'm not stealing, I'm sampling" argument. I have a gigantic MP3 collection (and will probably be on the prolific downloaders list the RIAA goes after), and I freely admit that it is stealing. I don't sample a song, realize I like it and then run off to my local music store to purchase the CD. I download the song, purchase a new MP3 jukebox (see prior post on Nomad Zen v. iPod), load the music into the sucker and workout harder at the gym.

I guess the main question is whether I would have bought the CD if the free MP3 were not available. I think 95% of the time, the answer is no. CDs are too expensive when all I really want is the one or two songs on the album that are actually good. But that 5% of the time is definitely what is eating into music sales. And, I don't see how people deny that. (To me, it's like denying that abortion isn't killing a child--I am pro-choice, BTW.) I honestly don't think I have bought a single CD since I became a serious music thief.

Now that the risk of getting caught is higher and the cost of downloading legally is lower (thanks Apple), I will honestly consider paying what I think is probably a reasonable price to stay out of trouble. But, the Napsters of the world (and freeloaders like me) are what are forcing this paradigm shift, so we should all be thankful for that.

Zak (pro-stealing, pro-infanticide, happy I could do my patriotic duty)

Edited to add missing word...