The good, the bad and the ugly
Kevin: Dude, check out all the music I downloaded last night. I have nearly a gigabyte! You want me to burn you some CDs?
James: Wait a second. What did you just do?
Kevin: I just downloaded some music, that’s all. You got a problem with that?
James: No, but YOU do. If you want to save your behind from being sued, you better start laying off the music piracy.
Kevin: Says who?
James: Says the Associated Press. According to their data, over four thousand people have been sued since the first case in September 2003. You shouldn’t risk it. you’re not invincible, man.
Kevin: Whatever, Mr. I Like To Follow The Rules. If you think you’re so smart, think again. Artists these days make millions of dollars a year, and furthermore, Washington Post has proven that album sales don’t even suffer when their music is downloaded of the Internet. It’s time they start sharing the wealth and stop suing people that don’t even have enough money to hire a defense lawyer.
James: Hello? That’s not the point. It doesn’t matter if the artists don’t lose any money. you’re still violating their copyright laws. How would you like it if I stole your homework and started copying it?
Kevin: It wouldn’t matter, ‘cause I don’t do my homework, hah! Still, I still don’t see why this thing is illegal. All this fuss is just a bunch of bull feces. By downloading an artist’s music, we are actually supporting the music and helping with their publicity. Furthermore, concert attendance might even rise.
James: That may be true, but again, increased publicity is not a feasible reason for wrongfully stealing an artist’s work. And has the thought of supporting an artist legally ever occurred to you? You can buy their music legally.
Kevin: Wow, I never knew that! You can buy music?! Okay, I get what you’re saying, but from my personal experience, I have discovered many new and upcoming bands through the downloading of their music. This would have never happened if I had to bust out my wallet for them.
James: Yes, but you do realize that buying a band’s album is what causes them to rise up on the charts, right?
Kevin: Well, I don’t care what you say, because I still believe that music should be free since it is a vital component of culture and is cathartic for the soul.
James: Oh, and is breaking the law a vital component of our culture too? You really should watch yourself, man. If it doesn’t hurt to do the right thing. You’re just going to get caught someday if you keep downloading like there’s no tomorrow. And do you really think stealing enriches the soul?
Kevin: Well, it enriches mine…
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