Pros & Cons
- Free downloading promotes artists
pirates are advertising for the artists and
exposing others to their music for free.
- Free downloading can lead to later purchases
they may want to purchase the album for a keep-
sake item. Pirating can promote future purchases
that, without it, may never have been made.
- Legally purchasing music can be expensive
and college age students; both of which are not
exposed to the means to legally purchase the
music that they like to listen to. It is simply easier
for them to download them for free.
- Illegal
item without the permission of the rightful owner.
That is exactly what pirating is. And theft is a
serious crime in the eyes of law enforcement.
- Insult and harmful to the artists
to feel betrayed by their supposed fans and to feel
like their talent isn't appreciated. Also, some
bands make a living off of the revenue they get
from legitimate sales--such as indie bands. By
stealing their music, you are potentially making
it very hard for them to do simple things like pay
their rent (Harding).
- Potentially harmful to the pirate
can open up pirates' computers to some very nasty
viruses.
- Negatively affects economy
but the recording labels who invest their money in
the artists do, the people who advertise for the
artists, and the loyal fans end up having to spend
more money to legitimately support the artists to
make up for the money lost due to pirating.
