Strangeparty

I saw the following article about the “10 inconvenient truths about file-swapping” that was released by the EU’s IFPI (music industry group) and had to make my own comments…

IFPI: Ten “inconvenient truths” about file-swapping

1. Pirate Bay, one of the flagships of the anti-copyright movement, makes thousands of euros from advertising on its site, while maintaining its anti-establishment “free music” rhetoric.
   It probably does, but it has yet to be found to be illegal or breaking any laws in its own country
2. AllOfMP3.com, the well-known Russian web site, has not been licensed by a single IFPI member, has been disowned by right holder groups worldwide and is facing criminal proceedings in Russia.
   Again, AFAIK it has not broken any laws in Russia as it pays royalties to the “Russian RIAA”
3. Organized criminal gangs and even terrorist groups use the sale of counterfeit CDs to raise revenue and launder money.
   When was the last time you bougt (rather than downloaded for free) a counterfeit cd or dvd?
4. Illegal file-sharers don’t care whether the copyright-infringing work they distribute is from a major or independent label.
   No, but only the big name labels charge ridiculous prices – see audiolunchbox.com or magnatunes.com
5. Reduced revenues for record companies mean less money available to take a risk on “underground” artists and more inclination to invest in “bankers” like American Idol stars.
   So why has all alternative music I have ever heard had to start off on a small label until they are making mega-bucks? The big labels don’t take the risks anyway.
6. ISPs often advertise music as a benefit of signing up to their service, but facilitate the illegal swapping on copyright infringing music on a grand scale.
   I have never seen this, nor would it appeal unless it was decent quality online radio streaming (128k+ bbc radio) or drm free downloads
7. The anti-copyright movement does not create jobs, exports, tax revenues and economic growth–it largely consists of people pontificating on a commercial world about which they know little.
   Does suing people left right and center help anyones life?
8. Piracy is not caused by poverty. Professor Zhang of Nanjing University found the Chinese citizens who bought pirate products were mainly middle- or higher-income earners.
   Because the poor people don’t have access to computers as easily, and most of the piracy I know of goes on via the internet
9. Most people know it is wrong to file-share copyright infringing material but won’t stop till the law makes them, according to a recent study by the Australian anti-piracy group MIPI.
   Because the are not willing to pay the price demanded for the latest CD or DVD
10. P2P networks are not hotbeds for discovering new music. It is popular music that is illegally file-shared most frequently.
    Exactly – popular music people are not willing to pay that much for, and all the new music is either free on myspace or cheap on alternative sites (see #4 above)