In this thread, the reason for closing seems to be that
the moderator disagrees with music file sharing...

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthr...hreadid=104403

I was wondering if the these types of threads (naptser, WinMX, and Audio Galaxy) were against the rules.

Due to the recent (and much needed ) changes in the rules, I'm just trying to formally clear this up, that is why I did not feel that a private e-mail would be appropriate in this instance. Thanks.

Using Napster, WinMx, etc. . . is not against the rules. Talking about them is fine too. Asking specifically how to download copywritten material by name is sort of obviously over the line.

Napster threads were closed left and right, a very very old rule.

However, with the recent crackdown on Napster/WinMx/etc., I think we should be able to openly discuss them, as all copyright information should have been already filtered out. I can't even use napster anymore since there's really nothing left to download because of all this (for me anyway).

And besides, linking to pictures is the same type of copyright violation as mp3 sharing is.

Although strictly correct, I think the general market in music is more obvious (and lucrative) than that in graphics.

The case isn't actually proven as to whether MP3/file sharing harms sales on its own. There is a case for saying that the price of single CDs was prohibitively high for many and so MP3 allowed people to try before they bought. So single sales diminished while at the same time album sales increased. This is just a theory, mind you!

(And I did read that the Metallica guy was big in tape trading in his youth but that may be an Urban Legend/lie).

That make a lot of sense. Thank you for responding, I just thought this would be important info for newer people (myself included) who may not have been aware. Thanks!

Benedict,

I read somewhere that CD sales are actually UP since the invention of Napster. It most certainly is UP in my case, as I have bought hundreds of CDs based on what I first heard on Napster.

For me it seems like I buy the same amount of CDs as before or maybe less. Alot of the people I am friendly with however refuse to buy CDs again, and take the cheap route of strictly downloading.

If you like the artist I think you should support them with album sales plain and simple.

J

<b>Drink 'Til She's Cute</b>, yes, in the UK they (whoever "they" are) are saying that sales of singles are down and then, out of the corner of their mouths, will admit that album sales are <i>up</i>.

Personally I think the record companies are just greedy! You bought the vinyl; then you buy the CD; then you buy the remastered version; then you buy the 20-bit remastered gold version perhaps with some added AV; then the DVD comes out etc. etc. (I know it isn't compulsory but some fans will always go for the full set).

As it happens, I don't have a CD-R on my current set up and don't collect MP3s but I agree that the try-before-you-buy system seems perfectly valid; little different from taping in the old days. I bet there are worse forms of piracy around....

[Edited by benedict on 05-01-01 at 11:37 AM]