I'd like to see a statistical study before I'd be inclined to believe that a few highly publicized fines don't have a dampening effect on illegal downloading. Until then, my intuition tells me that it is as I said, similar to counterfeiting. And if jail time were included, as in counterfeiting and other theft, the effect would be greater.

45 years in the music business, including work with some very famous people, has led me to the conclusion that when you work for free you get exposure...exposure that helps you develop a reputation as someone who will work for free. In other words, your value goes down. Of course I'm speaking about applying free market principals to the music business, in which I believe and which I prefer. People who do not believe in or prefer the idea of a free market may disagree on those grounds. But it would, again, take serious proof to make me believe that within the free market it is ever a good idea for anyone other than a green beginner to work for free. Except, of course, when one is doing work for a charity.

Remember, pickers, you can die of exposure. smile

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