Because when someone copies the file without paying for it, where does the money come to the composer? When a cd is sold, the composer gets their share. When a song is broadcast on the radio, the composer gets their share. Then comes the technology, beginning with the home tape recorder, to copy from the radio or from a recording. This is illegal. The reason it is illegal is because the person doing the copying did not get permission from the composer to copy. (I'm simplifying here, there are "fair use" laws also)

Now, I have had songs of mine that I (the operative word being "I") allowed people to copy. I simply assigned my right to copy (my copyright) and this is a good idea. This is what the Grateful Dead did, they encouraged their fans to copy. It is a good tactic. If someone copies and shares that work, they do so legally and are "evangelists" for that me or for the Dead. But if they are doing it without the aforementioned permission, then they are copying it illegally and stealing the ability to be compensated.

And that's not just me. That's the law.

I encourage folks to give permission to copy some of their work.

I also encourage people in the music business to educate others in the sanctity of creation. Music is not free. It belongs to the musicians who create it. They may decide to give it for free, or may decide not to. Taking music that is given freely is well and good. Taking music against someone's wishes is not.

You've got to know your limitations. I don't know what your limitations are. I found out what mine were when I was twelve. I found out that there weren't too many limitations, if I did it my way. -Johnny Cash

It's only music.
-niteshift

Mike Dunbar Music