These uploaders supplying millions of files on a daily basis are having a negative impact on record sales and the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of songwriters, musicians, artists and everyone who supports their work in the production, marketing, manufacturing, promotion, broadcast and distribution businesses.
Clearly the record industry has not moved a legitimate on-line music business to serve music fans as fast as they or anyone else would have liked. But those legitimate businesses are out there now and they are getting better every day. What hasn't changed though are the values I was taught when I was young. Stealing is wrong, no matter how you try and justify it by painting the victim as the bad guy.
Angry tirades against virtually everyone in the music community may help get headlines for a contrarian, but it does nothing to advance a thoughtful dialogue about how to address these serious issues.
You can compare the statements for yourself and draw your own conclusions; but I find it interesting that the RIAA position over the last few months has moved quite a way toward incorporating downloads as part of their business - you would not have seen this line even as recently as our opening in August: "Clearly the record industry has not moved a legitimate on-line music business to serve music fans as fast as they or anyone else would have liked."
They're only doing it now because they have been forced to. There are now cracks in the structure - those of you who live in wintery climes know what happens when salt and ice gets in those cracks in the road.
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
Hilary Rosen and her organization are so full of it . The continued use of twisted logic is nauseating. I'm not sure what's worse, the fact that they get this stuff so wrong...or the fact that the major media outlets swallow it whole.
2 - Kenan Hebert
Carefully read Ian's screed, and then carefully notice how many of Ian's concerns Rosen adresses. Answer: zero. She evades, twists words, wheedles, and apparently tries to use psychology on Ian herself, as if making her feel bad would be satisfaction enough.
I'd like to grab Hillary Rosen by the fat under her chin and shake her to death.
3 - Mike Arvin
I just have to respond to one comment by Hilary Rosen. She blames all of the drop in CD sales on file sharing. I can tell you why my purchases have dropped off. There isn't anything available that I'd like to buy.
I think that covers most of the sales drop.....
4 - Jane
Poooor Hillary and RIAA...so hard done by. The RIAA has had what, three or more years to fix this problem by offering their product over the net? And have they? Why no...the industry has persisted in believing that we'd love to shell out 19.95 USD for one or two decent cuts.
Tough.
5 - cephusj
Nice words Hilary. Long essay. Unfortunately its pointless. Regardless of your values or the beautiful explanation of the how's and why's of peer to peer, consumers see you and those in your industry as greedy monopolists. People love music and dont consider sharing music stealing. Its just like taping a song off the radio and giving a friend the tape only the quality is better. You lost this battle honey. You have absolutely no idea how advanced and elaborate sharing schemes have become. Maybe its time for a career change. In this economy - you wont be alone ...