New Study States The Obvious: Kids Download A Lot Of Music

from the this-is-not-going-away dept

Over the past few months, there's been a push among some to suggest that file sharing is really a marginalized behavior, only done by a small group of people -- and that with just a little education (and maybe a few big legal victories, such as the ones against Jammie Thomas and Joel Tenenbaum -- combined with new services like Spotify), perhaps it can be brought "under control." The "evidence" given for this has often been a case study in how to use statistics to delude yourself, often looking at the total percentage of people or internet users who engage in file sharing. But, the fact is that ignores the real issue: which is that kids today (tomorrow's consumers) are file sharing at a very high rate. A new study, sponsored by UK Music (the UK organization that's looking to get ISPs to put in place some sort of blanket licensing plan) has found that over 60% of kids in the UK admit to file sharing, with 83% of those admitting to doing it regularly, and those surveyed claiming to have downloaded an average of 8,100 tracks. Think about that for a second. 8,100 tracks.

While the defenders of the old system want to liken file sharing to a problem like shoplifting, at some point you have to realize it's something entirely different. This isn't a marginal behavior done by "bad kids." This is about as common as can be. Oddly, the BBC tried to spin this report to say that file sharing has dropped, but that "drop" was only 2% and it's within the margin of error of the survey -- meaning there's no actual evidence that it dropped. The study also contradicted that other study we wrote about recently (also in the UK) that claimed that kids were replacing downloading with streaming services. In this survey, 78% said they had no interest in a streaming service, and 89% saying they'd never pay for such a service.

Given the two conflicting studies (both sponsored by biased parties), you have to question the results of both. But, given the fact that kids are more likely to deny file sharing activity these days, rather than admit to it (knowing they could get in trouble for it), you have to wonder if this study even undercounts the actual activity.

Now, once again, let's make a clear point: I'm not saying this is right or legal. I don't think anyone should download music from an artist who does not authorize it. But the fact is that file sharing is not a "small thing" among kids today, and to think that there's some sort of magical method of getting it to go away is wishful thinking. Given that we're seeing more and more artists learn how to embrace file sharing to do better with their own business models, at some point it's time for those fighting against it to recognize -- from the copyright holders' perspective -- that it's better not to fight what consumers want, but to embrace it, combined with a smart business model, and stop worrying.
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Filed Under: downloads, kids, uk
Companies: uk music


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  • icon
    herodotus (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:00am

    I have been saying this for quite some time.

    I have been conducting my own little survey for the past 2 years, and I have yet to find a single person under the age of 25 who doesn't engage in filesharing of some sort. Not all of them use p2p services, as some of them don't have high speed internet. But they do trade mp3s with friends, copy cds from each other and so on.

    And these aren't delinquents. At least not all of them. Some are honors students. Some are church goers. Hell, a couple of them come off like something out of Little House on the Prairie.

    This battle has been lost.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Killer_Tofu (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 7:08am

      Re:

      Same with about everybody I know herodotus.
      Everybody either downloads, or gets music from those who do.
      And very few of them pay anything ever. Although just about all of them would be willing to contribute something if they knew the artist would get it.
      It is part of the MAFIAA boycott.
      Just that its not 100%. No money given, but they will still listen to the music.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      john, 19 Aug 2009 @ 5:37pm

      There is no battle

      There is no battle except the one you are fighting against technology.
      Many fought similar battles before you: when the VHS tape came out, when the C90 tape came out. There where plenty of "battles". (remember??) Even the band Metallica fought their (huge) battle against Napster.
      Those are all long gone "battles" by many who instead of trying to capitalize on the new tech, they fought it.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Simon, 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:18am

    Clearly the fines must be increased as there is not enough of a deterrent....

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:23am

    Okay, 8100 songs. 4 minutes each? 540 hours. 67 days of music (at 8 hour a day). So actually much of the downloading is meaningless, as they are downloading it and likely never listening to it.

    Pretty much, it makes it clear: It's exactly like kleptomaniacs, they are downloading because they can and it turns them on, not because they need or will use what they have pinched.

    For me, it is an indication of a greater problem, one that lines up with the lack of respect for authority, the lack of respect for the risks of drink, and so on that are prevalent in UK youth culture today. It should scare retailers to death, because it is clear that these kids don't respect anything - and your retail store is probably next.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      The Infamous Joe (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:43am

      Re:

      Oh come on!

      and your retail store is probably next.

      FUD much, do you? Might as well say, "It's clear these kids don't respect anything, your daughter is probably next." Or maybe, "..your life is probably next."

      Do you *honestly* think hitting Ctrl+V on a computer is the step before theft? Seriously, you're a walking, talking caricature.

      It's exactly like kleptomaniacs, they are downloading because they can and it turns them on, not because they need or will use what they have pinched.

      So, 60% of the UK's kids have a mental disorder? All the more reason not to hunt them down and punish them, I mean, they're sick kids! They need *help*.

      I wish it were that easy. It isn't, and you're more than foolish to think so. Kids these days have grown accustomed to living in an increasingly connected world. Copying one file to another folder is no big deal, why would one file to another folder on another computer? Not to mention, it's far more likely that an album gets downloaded, a song or two is sampled, and if it's worth it, it goes in the list of "Things I like" and if it isn't to their taste, it is just left on the hard drive until they need the space, when it gets deleted. (Another reason every download != a lost sale, btw)

      The real fun part of the equation, assume the IP holders stay sue-happy for another decade-- how will they *possibly* get a jury member who hasn't shared files before?

      Oh, that's right, game over. Thanks for playing.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:54am

        Re: Re:

        Joe, I wish you were right, but the youth of the UK is proving otherwise.

        http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/3510560.stm

        That is 50% of the "sample group" in this study. In fact, 1/3 of all UK youth in this group reported and admitted to binge drinking in one study. High school graduation rates are poor, unemployment is high, acts of vandalism, petty theft, and drug consumption are all at or near the all time high.

        "So, 60% of the UK's kids have a mental disorder? All the more reason not to hunt them down and punish them, I mean, they're sick kids! They need *help*."

        I didn't say that they have a mental disorder, I said "It's exactly like kleptomaniacs". The UK has some serious issues with misdirected youth, has had the problem for a very long time, and it is just getting worse. Since they are showing very little respect for anything else, why would you think any of them would have any respect for copyright law or the artists themselves? It's a take, take, take until I puke, puke, puke society, so download music far beyond any sane level of need isn't out of line for them.

        Presented without context, the numbers are huge. Presented with context, the numbers are understandable and unacceptable.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:08am

          Re: Re: Re:

          "1/3 of all UK youth in this group reported and admitted to binge drinking in one study"

          I don't drink and I have. That statistic is bullshit.

          "High school graduation rates are poor, unemployment is high, acts of vandalism, petty theft, and drug consumption are all at or near the all time high."

          That's right, be a good little citizen and listen to the news. Actual statistics show that crime rates are actually down, it's just that the ones that are there are more in your face thanks to the overzealous news.

          "The UK has some serious issues with misdirected youth, has had the problem for a very long time, and it is just getting worse."

          Then quit yelling at them to get off the grass, old man, and blame the people that diverse the blame, parents. They are the ones not instilling any respect for anyone into their children. What did you think would happen when we switched to "time out" as a primary form of punishment? This isn't relevant to anything anyways, it's not a cause of this "problem" (nor is it an actual problem to begin with).

          "so download music far beyond any sane level of need isn't out of line for them."

          My mom had more music than these kids when she was young. Yes, they were all in round black disks, but she still had shelves full. She's not the only one ether (my dad was the same way), the only reason everyone wasn't like that was because of the money. Now it's just a simple task of click, click and you have it.

          Welcome to the digital age, the quickening of adapt or die.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • Re: Re: Re: Re:

            I agree with you -Chronno S. Trigger- yet I could be your grandpa.(!) It isn't about age. Some of these people were old at 15 and stayed there.
            Thoughts don't change with age, they remain the same. See the Greateful Dead and many others freeying their music for everyone.
            The only ones suffering from the p2p craze are the ones who can't keep up, and that serves them right.
            Thore'll be many to take their place, don't you worry about it.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Enrico Suarve, 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:20am

          Re: Re: Re:

          I don't suppose it's dawned on you that an awful lot of the 8100 tracks quoted may well be unlistened to tracks on albums?

          I also tend to copy all my tracks from cd to mp3 since disk space costs so little, I very rarely listen to most but its nice to have them there if I fancy a back catalog tour or have friend around who like different tracks

          Or is it just easier to assign disparaging labels to people so you can write off their actions?

          Personally I always thought that if the larger music companies would quit scalping people by charging extortionate rates for CDs, then MP3s then they could recover. I'm actually starting to think thats wrong - I think they've possibly been too gratuitously greedy for too long and in doing so have spawned a whole circumvention culture which is going to be hard, if not impossible to reverse

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • icon
          The Infamous Joe (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 7:30am

          Re: Re: Re:

          Binge drinking is usually defined as 5 drinks for men and 4 for women in a two hour period. (At least, that's what my Navy training told me) I find that definition to be woefully unrealistic. ONE Long Island Iced Tea is binge drinking unless you take more than two hours to drink it.

          Please.

          It's a take, take, take until I puke, puke, puke society, so download music far beyond any sane level of need isn't out of line for them.

          I thought I had already gone over this. Hard drive space is cheap and abundant. Songs/Albums will be downloaded to "check them out" and most will probably fall into the "Meh." category, and remain on the hard drive until the need to clear up some space. (Assuming they aren't outright deleted.) Only a psycologist would assume this is some kind of impulsive need instead of the normal search for new likable music.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 8:16am

          Re: Re: Re:

          And in another few decades, all these selfish little anarchists are going to be running the country!

          Quick people, grab your cameras and start taking pictures of the apocalyptic scenarios playing out.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Richard, 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:43am

      Re:

      "the lack of respect for authority"

      Respect has to be earned.

      So what you are saying is that current authority figures have done nothing to earn the respect of the young.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        JimG (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 8:17am

        Re: Re:

        "the lack of respect for authority"

        Respect has to be earned.

        So what you are saying is that current authority figures have done nothing to earn the respect of the young.


        BINGO the current authority figures have done ABSOLUTELY nothing to gain the respect of the young.

        You don't earn respect trying to stamp out any and every attempt to express themselves and certainly don't by watching them via CCTV from the second they leave their house until the time they come home.

        Talk about mixed signals they are told they have freedom but every time they start to use that "freedom" the so called "authority figures" say oh wait no, no, no you can't do THAT we meant you could only do what we want you to do which fits in this nice little box because when you go outside the box it rocks our apple cart.

        The RIAA is just another example of "authority figures" trying to limit their freedom so of course they aren't going to pay any attention and most likely do the opposite of what the RIAA wants them to do.

        It's surprising there are any teenagers in the world that aren't pissed off.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      David T, 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:15am

      Re:

      "...it makes it clear: It's exactly like kleptomaniacs, they are downloading because they can and it turns them on, not because they need or will use what they have pinched."

      Insulting the majority of music fans isn't going to solve any problems, and will likely exacerbate the issue. I suspect downloaders listen like I do with streaming services, hear the first 15 seconds and skip forward until they get something they like.

      The music business (not to confuse that with the plastic disc business) is booming, and sorting through the thousands of hours of new music is becoming increasingly difficult. I suspect this is root cause of massive downloading, not some compulsive thieving disorder as the comment above would suggest.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      nick, 11 Aug 2009 @ 8:55am

      Re: Your retail store is next!!!

      To the Anonymous Coward who posted

      "For me, it is an indication of a greater problem, one that lines up with the lack of respect for authority, the lack of respect for the risks of drink, and so on that are prevalent in UK youth culture today."

      Are you serious...?

      Part of the lack of respect??? This is a text book "the next generation do not respect the previous one" response and given without thought to changing technology or attitudes. A friend of mine made a similar comment recently when a number of us were together at my childs birthday, about the delinquent kids drinking cider on the park bench as he drove past. It did amuse me to point out that is was us in the park bench drinking cider 15 years ago and we turned out to be Doctors, Barristers, teachers, sales people, IT staff and bankers...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        bang!, 19 Aug 2009 @ 6:02pm

        Re: Re: Your retail store is next!!!

        "was us in the park bench drinking cider 15 years ago and we turned out to be Doctors, Barristers, teachers, sales people, IT staff and bankers..."
        I know where you are coming from and mainly I agree with you.
        However I can't resist pointing out (you are a Brit aren't ya) that as of today August 2009 you lot are the responsible for bringing UK's economy down, especially the bankers.
        And I am not saying this lightly, without foundations... I am talking about having savings in UK banks that in 2001 could have bought me a decent home in Europe and due to me trusting the UK pound and having left the money there, in 2009 I have lost exactly a bleeding THIRD of it due to the people in the UK (Doctors, Barristers, teachers, sales people, IT staff and bankers) messing it right up for everyone.
        No doubt they should have stayed off their cider when young but yeah, back then there was still the remains of the old Empire to live off of.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      DougN (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 10:07am

      Re:

      AC, I don't think your assumed conclusions necessarily follow the facts. I myself have 2000+ songs, all from CDs which I have legally purchased and still possess. And I would have much more, if not for the fact that I have a teenage daughter and an ex, both of whom put most of the music I would want to purchase (like a $100 boxed set of Beethoven) out of reach, and the fact that other music is still not available on CD or other digital format. But one reason I have all that music is that I have differing musical moods, where at times I cannot get enough of say Liz Phair, the B52s or some other artist, and at other times I am in more of a mood for Blackmore's Night or Gregorian chant.

      Now, with that said, I will agree that with some, it is like a kleptomaniac, or like the script kiddies and crackers who want to brag about how many systems they have access to, except the downloader thinks in terms of songs and movies. But with others, I think there is a certain amount of paradigm shift in the way folks think about music distribution (my wife would rather download individual songs from Tom Smith than to go out to purchase a CD with 10 songs, only one or two of which she wants).

      One must also remember in this whole deal that with groups like the MPAA, RIAA and other backsides, they really don't want you to be able to do things like make backup copies, rip to your PC, etc. They would rather be able to charge you for a new CD when your old one has worn out, and would rather sell you the digital file to play on your MP3 player, and then sell you another one to play on some other device.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Tom, 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:34am

    A bit more than in the 80s?

    When i left school in '82, i had 200 C90s each with 2 albums on. If each album averaged 12 songs. Thats 2400 songs. This was supposed to be the hey day for physical music selling. Since then, i got jobs and bought albums. But those 200 albums were a wide spread of music, classical to punk and formed the basis of my music taste. I gave nearly all of them away when i left school. Of course kids can't buy music, they dont have any money. They need free music to develop their tastes for when they do start buying/goisng to gigs. Because i think they probably will.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    SteelWolf (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:38am

    I don't think anyone should download music from an artist who does not authorize it. I'm not sure what I think of that. It seems to fall dangerously near the idea that even if a business model doesn't work, I am obligated to support it. I don't think there should be any "moral guilt" associated with downloading music at all. There is, in fact, a large untapped market of music lovers, and it is the job of the artists, not the customers, to reach it.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    Digital Protector (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:45am

    Sidestepping the various moral arguments...

    If the RIAA believes it reasonable to charge $80,000 US for each copied song, that means that the average monetary damages of a U.K. file sharer would be $248,000,000, or £150,613,385.15.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 5:47am

    If it wasn't for the odd album i've downloaded, I would have never purchased the original copy.

    I'm not going to spend £8 to £10 on something I can't return to the shop because I don't like it.

    If somebody left a bottle of beer on a bar with a sign saying "Free Beer" wouldn't you take it? Don't blame the whipper flapper who's a bit thirsty, blame the sod who pinched it from behind the bar and left it as low hanging fruit!

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    R. Miles (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:07am

    Ah, the internet. Such a wonderful invention.

    I don't think anyone should download music from an artist who does not authorize it.
    An artist who doesn't authorize it isn't an artist.

    They're the damn problem.

    Artists create to share with the world.

    These new "artists" today need to realize we didn't ask them to create their works, so where do they get off thinking they can charge us to enjoy it?

    I've yet to charge everyone for the use of my applications every time its used.

    Maybe I should start. From now one, every time my programming gets used, people owe me $1 damn dollar. No, $1.30, just to ensure it's DRM free.

    Ha. I just put myself out of work.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 1:10pm

      Re: Ah, the internet. Such a wonderful invention.

      "These new "artists" today need to realize we didn't ask them to create their works, so where do they get off thinking they can charge us to enjoy it?"

      Apply that to any other good you didn't ask someone to create but still ended up buying and see how asinine it sounds. What a ridiculous notion.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    herodotus (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:18am

    Kids in the UK are 'out of control'.

    And yet, the British live in what is fast becoming a bona fide police state.

    Hmmmm...

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Enrico Suarve, 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:56am

      Re:

      Or could it be that in an effort to justify their ever increasing police and state powers the government of the UK has embarked on a campaign to exagerate crime and social problems using their every helpful friend, dodgy home office statistics?

      Just asking since when I look out of my window I don't see any binge drinking hooligans, gangs or knife wielding hoodies, but I can see two CCTV cameras...

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Nick Stamoulis, 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:27am

    I don't think this is ever really going to change. At some point the music industry is really going to have to come up with some sort of game plan on how to make money from these downloads. Randomly suing people is not the best long term goal.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:31am

      Re:

      I suspect the next step is going to be the big freeze - already we are seeing less and less big label releases, and more and more of the same stuff on rotation. The record companies are giving the small guys / girls a chance, and even with all the CwF stuff, none of them are stepping up.

      When the record labels don't have the money, they don't bring new artists in, they don't move them through the system. Nothing new comes out the top. Then what?

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        The Infamous Joe (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 6:42am

        Re: Re:

        Then real music will flourish, and the Creeds and Britanys of the music world will have to sell their gold-plated shark tanks to make ends meet.

        How sad are you that you honestly believe that music will suffer because a band doesn't have their IP swindled from them for cross-collateral, all-in 12 points and a 7 Album deal that probably will only see one album because they're not main stream enough to be "worth" the investment to an executive.

        There's so much wrong with "standard" Record Label contracts that, after reading about it for a day or three, I find it hard to understand why anyone still signs them.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 7:19am

        Re: Re:

        Being a drummer in a band, I think that's a load of rubbish.

        Without any help from a "big label release" we've digitally distributed our album, sold physical copies and allowed for it to be listened for free on websites and spotify etc.

        New music will always be out there.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        Free Capitalist, 11 Aug 2009 @ 7:43am

        Re: Re:

        Please let this happen soon.

        Let the greedy 'Have a Cigar' bastards do more with less (like so many others), figure out a better way to carry on their business, or go bankrupt chasing civil awards from peniless children.

        Businesses should be allowed to fail, no matter what industry.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    free website john, 11 Aug 2009 @ 7:05am

    New ways Vs the old ways

    The internet and file sharing are here to stay, but this doesnt mean that artists won't get paid anymore, just that the industry has to change the way they do things... instead of fighting these new technologies they should embrace them and research on how to capitalize.
    They didn't suffer when cassette recording became available and they won't suffer now, unless they decide to spend all their energies on the wrong direction.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    anymouse (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 8:26am

    Growing up to be such GREAT Politicians aren't they....

    "In fact, 1/3 of all UK youth in this group reported and admitted to binge drinking in one study. High school graduation rates are poor, unemployment is high, acts of vandalism, petty theft, and drug consumption are all at or near the all time high."

    Sounds like this is the group that's headed into Politics when they grow up, and they are just trying to get a head start on all the illegal and immoral activity and get some practice at 'spinning' things when they do get caught (since we know they will, and they will just get out of it).

    Their parents should be so proud, they are going to be great little politicians some day.... suppressing their constituants, pissing on peoples rights, squandering the governments resources, and then bitching about how they did 'everything they could' to help out....

    NOT

    link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    wallow-T, 11 Aug 2009 @ 8:45am

    Anonymous Coward in comment #3 wrote: "it is an indication of a greater problem, one that lines up with the lack of respect for authority..."

    The pop music industry was built, after all, on a message of respect for authority. :-)

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 8:57am

      Re:

      Duh, not authority that way - in the authority that says you have to pay for stuff instead of shoplifting, that you don't binge drink when you are 16, that you don't get pregnant when you are 17, etc. All of these are major problems in the UK, and it all comes back to a lack of respect for authority.

      It's easy to say "the authorities didn't earn our respect", but that is a truly horsecrap excuse. Civilized society can respect the rules and laws without loving every one of them. This mentality that you can randomly pick and choose which rules and laws to follow or ignore is a pretty big lack of respect not just for authority, but your neighbors and fellow citizens.

      There is very little way to support the level of thievery that is going on right now.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

      • icon
        Chronno S. Trigger (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 9:34am

        Re: Re:

        Police statistics show that theft is down. Teen drinking isn't up, and while teen pregnancy is up (a little), this also isn't anything new (nor is it really a bad thing). Quit living in the "good ol' days" (that never existed).

        As for downloading, that's not a lack of respect for anything, that's keeping up with the times. And to an extent it shows more respect.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

        • identicon
          Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 12:21pm

          Re: Re: Re:

          What country? In the UK, teen drinking, especially binge drinking, has reached a point where it is becoming a true hazard for youth. You don't want to be out in most club areas late on the weekends, it is absolutely disgusting (and very dangerous, brits also love to fight).

          If crime is down in the UK, it's only because it reached a point of stupidity not that long ago. One report I saw had the percentage of 20 year olds with a criminal record was higher than the number with a school diploma. You really have to wonder at that point.

          Downloading is just another lack of respect for property, for rights, and for artists. They know it is "wrong", and still they do it.

          link to this | view in chronology ]

          • icon
            The Infamous Joe (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 12:44pm

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            One report I saw had the percentage of 20 year olds with a criminal record was higher than the number with a school diploma.

            Without citation or a link, I can easily infer that the laws in the UK are too strict, from that statement.

            Downloading is just another lack of respect for property, for rights, and for artists.

            When dealing with copyrights, you are not dealing with property-- you are dealing with a government granted monopoly. It is not property. It is not owned. It is *granted* for a limited amount of time.

            Of all the injustices in the world, copyright infringement should be *way* down the list of rights we need to concern ourselves about.

            If anyone has a lack of respect for artists, it's the record labels that swindle them out of the rights to their art through contracts they don't understand knowing they couldn't afford the lawyer's fees to have it explained to them, giving them a small fraction of the retail sale of their art *after the artist has paid back the loan*, yet the artists never gets the rights to their art back.

            link to this | view in chronology ]

            • identicon
              Name The Game, 11 Aug 2009 @ 8:32pm

              Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:

              It's like you didn't read my post at all:

              "When dealing with copyrights, you are not dealing with property-- you are dealing with a government granted monopoly. It is not property. It is not owned. It is *granted* for a limited amount of time."

              Right above that (and you even italic'ed it):

              Downloading is just another lack of respect for property, for rights, and for artists.

              what part of rights didn't you catch?

              WHen you go off on a "it's not property" or an "it's not theft" direction, I know you ran out of material. Quite simply, that is the whipping post when you have nothing else to say. Got it.

              "Without citation or a link, I can easily infer that the laws in the UK are too strict, from that statement."

              It could also be that you are unfamiliar with the country, and that a few minutes of research online might enlighten you a bit.

              http://www.ifs.org.uk/wps/wp0511.pdf - considering that only 76% of 25-34 year olds have what would be called a "high school leaving" in the UK (11 percentage points lower than the US), the actual graduation numbers are somewhere under 50% in normal time. 1.1-1.5% of the youth population is in prison at any given time in the UK. http://www.poverty.org.uk/33/index.shtml - Sine the vast majority of chargable offenses don't lead to jail time, the true number of youths involved in crime is significant in the UK - way above the US levels. You can also look at: http://www.crimereduction.homeoffice.gov.uk/statistics/statistics066.htm

              plenty of information out there if you care to take the time to learn.

              "If anyone has a lack of respect for artists, it's the record labels that swindle them out of the rights to their art through contracts they don't understand knowing they couldn't afford the lawyer's fees to have it explained to them, giving them a small fraction of the retail sale of their art *after the artist has paid back the loan*, yet the artists never gets the rights to their art back."

              The artists get to keep the most important thing, it's called "FAME". Ask Thom Yorke what fame is worth. Millions.

              link to this | view in chronology ]

          • identicon
            Enrico Suarve, 12 Aug 2009 @ 1:57am

            Re: Re: Re: Re:

            "One report I saw had the percentage of 20 year olds with a criminal record was higher than the number with a school diploma"

            Probably true since we don't have school diplomas, but in my experience (wife, mother in law, brother in law, cousin are all teachers) a kid leaving school without a GCSE is unusual (of course it varies per school but it's low)

            Contrast that to a report I read that highlighted the growing problem of gang culture in the US, which revealed that most kids leaving US schools are already a member of either the bloods or the crips, toting their freely available firearms every night; gangland killings are fast-becoming the norm in the US education system, right down to a pre-school level

            It also went on to underline the dangerous no go areas that America's college dorms have become, with most American girls paying for their tuition via porn stardom and a majority of the boys drinking kegs of beer per night then going driving and looking for fights (presumably because their girlfriends are busy getting banged for business)

            The only difference between your comment and mine is that I *know* I'm spouting ill-informed, media sensationalised horse shit

            Seriously kids are kids are kids - practically the whole teenage sub culture thing was an import from America in the 1950s anyway, and right since the beginning one of the key underlying attitudes has been rebellion (that bits actually probably been around since before cave men), especially 'sticking it to the man' rebellion

            Be careful how you reply however cos us Brits love to fight grrrrr [scary grimace]

            ;0)

            link to this | view in chronology ]

      • identicon
        BigKeithO, 11 Aug 2009 @ 10:59am

        Re: Re:

        How old are you? You've got to be a lot older than me and it is telling in your attitude. When I was 16 or 17 I did a little bit of shoplifting, a pack of gum here and a couple of $0.05 candies there. I also did some "binge" drinking at the same age, hell I know lots of girls who got pregnant as well. Was it wrong? Yes. Do kids that age do things like that? Yes. It is just a part of growing up.

        I didn't turn out to be an anarchist out to ruin the world. I also have bought a CD or two in my day and respect the laws now. Not everyone grows up in your perfect little box and they never have. It's called being a kid.

        Get over yourself.

        link to this | view in chronology ]

  • icon
    BobinBaltimore (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 9:40am

    Interesting Findign Buried in the Study

    Here's an interesting finding buried in the article. It surely indicates that a majority of the kids surveyed know that illegal downloading reduces income to the uncompensated artist.

    "More than half of those surveyed said that companies that manufacture digital music players and mobile phones should pay fees to artists to compensate them from losses due to copies made on their devices."

    What they probably don't understand is that any fees paid by equipment manufacturers would 1) come out of their consumer pockets in the form of raised device prices and 2) would only go to artists indirectly via various royalty and industry groups.

    But I do find it interesting that a majority of those surveyed know that they are getting content for free which they should be paying for, yet do it anyway.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • identicon
      Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 2:15pm

      Re: Interesting Findign Buried in the Study

      "But I do find it interesting that a majority of those surveyed know that they are getting content for free which they should be paying for, yet do it anyway."


      I can't believe Mike neglected to mention this part of the article!

      Why, it boggles the mind!

      link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Mike Masnick (profile), 11 Aug 2009 @ 3:29pm

      Re: Interesting Findign Buried in the Study

      But I do find it interesting that a majority of those surveyed know that they are getting content for free which they should be paying for, yet do it anyway.

      Curious as to why you find that interesting? I would have only found it interesting if it had been the other way around.

      link to this | view in chronology ]

  • identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 11 Aug 2009 @ 4:51pm

    Obviously, that is interesting since proponents of freemunism often cite the post-internet generation as being mystified by antiquated ideas on IP due to some inherent cultural divide when this study shows a clear moral reservation underlining their actions.

    link to this | view in chronology ]

    • icon
      Mike Masnick (profile), 12 Aug 2009 @ 12:14am

      Re:

      Obviously, that is interesting since proponents of freemunism often cite the post-internet generation as being mystified by antiquated ideas on IP due to some inherent cultural divide when this study shows a clear moral reservation underlining their actions.

      I don't know anyone who has suggested that the concepts of IP are "mystifying" to kids. It's just that they don't care. They know about it, but they just think the concepts don't make sense. But pretty much every study I've seen says exactly what this one says. They know it's against the law.

      But that's not very interesting at all.

      And I don't think it shows any sort of "moral reservation" either. In fact, just the opposite.

      link to this | view in chronology ]


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