As 2007 drew to a close, one of the more interesting stories in the music industry was Radiohead's gambit to distribute its music digitally for whatever price fans chose to pay. In chronicling that event, we asked you to comment on both Radiohead's experiment and the wider world of music downloading (both legal and illegal).
Now, as Radiohead's In Rainbows ironically has become the No. 1 traditionally sold album in North America (in addition to its online presence), we'll take the opportunity to share your views. We weren't surprised to hear that the majority of those who wrote believe copying or sharing music files without permission is indeed illegal and constitutes stealing. But several of you wrote at length about how file sharing and downloading have changed the music landscape forever, a reality reflected by Radiohead's experiment. And a few folks commented on situations in which they believed file sharing doesn't constitute an ethical problem. A sampling:
"I've been a Radiohead die-hard for quite some time now, and when I heard about the pick-your-price download option, I thought it was yet another genius move by the band. It's great news for independent artists such as myself to see how well it worked out for them. I've thought about the moral issues behind downloading myself. When you tally up the cost of recording, copying, distributing, paying the engineers, the label execs, etc., a band on a major label makes about one or two dollars per unit sold. Is one or two dollars really important enough to work yourself into a tizzy for?" —Trevor Barth
"Radiohead's recent experiment is very likely the future of music. Compliments of technological critical mass, creators (artists) can now market directly to consumers and establish terms of legal usage dynamically. The need for the older forms of marketing and distribution are waning, and the artists can now directly profit—how and when they see fit—at the expense of the bloated and profit-gouging production and distribution hegemonies that are now issuing such shrill and ineffectual demands. Radiohead is merely on the leading edge of this growing wave, and I can't say I'm shedding a great number of tears for the profiteering, fat-cat music moguls running the various traditional distribution vehicles. Hardly. [Still,] illegal distribution of content is just that: illegal." —Darrell Griffith
"The vast majority of bands are more interested in people hearing their music than they are in getting rich off of it." —Randy
"I am a huge fan of Asian movies, TV shows and music. With such an odd interest, it is often difficult to come by the movies/music I like. People who are into foreign music cannot get the music they like in stores on CD because the corporations that are making these laws don't allow us to have it. They are systematically blocking us from access to artists other than those they wholly own and can take the maximum profit from. What else am I to do to get the music I like, apart from downloading it?" —Ben Dower
"It really all comes down to this: Times are changing, technology keeps advancing, the music industry is going to have to find some way to adapt and innovate or it will die out just like everything else that has refused or been unable to keep up with the times. I applaud Radiohead for trying something new that worked for them. People will pay for a decent product or service." —Glen Newsome Jr.
"It's an expensive (time and money) undertaking to record and publish music. The music artist, the recording company, etc., are in business to produce a product and sell it. If the music is meant for sale (not of public domain), then downloading it illegally or making and distributing copies of CDs to friends is stealing. We wouldn't walk into the music section of the local store, pick up a CD and then walk out without paying! So why would we do the same thing via the Internet?" —Mike
"I am absolutely disgusted by Christians who say illegal file sharing is morally acceptable. Christians like this are simply trying to mold morality to fit their liking. I see no problem with a band giving away their music, but when somebody downloads songs for free against the band's will, it is in direct opposition to the Bible." —Brett Linsley
"I believe that downloading music or anything with a copyright without paying for it or without permission is stealing. And just because no one's going to catch you doesn't means it's right. Is it so hard to download legally? Is free music worth your integrity?" —Geri Wichers
Of Rainbows, Records and Atomic Bombs | Do You Download?
