A quick word about piracy

This is going to be a relatively short one, but I feel the subject needed to be approached at least once in this blog.  Here's a question that requires some honesty to answer:  Are you a pirate?



No, not that kind of pirate--although this hilarious song from the gem of a children's show Lazytown spawned a bit of a joke among Internet geeks and pirates of all kinds.  Laughing matters aside, do you think piracy is wrong, or is it okay?  An episode of South Park that aired some years ago poked fun at the issue when the boys got in trouble for downloading music in a dramatic scene that involved the RIAA's police force busting in through the windows, armed to the teeth to bring the young transgressors to justice.

Obviously this is not the most accurate depiction what happens to pirates, but many do feel that the Recording Industry Association of America and its crusading partner, the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), are taking things too far, such as prosecuting disc jockeys who have paid for the music, but have not paid the royalties required to play the music in the club.  A lot of people believe that the need for excessive royalties and copyright claims that get videos taken down from YouTube are simply spoiling the fun for everyone involved.  I mean, if I post a video of myself dancing to Michael Jackson's "Beat It," does anyone actually think that I am trying to take credit for the song in any way, shape, or form?  Of course, there is also the prominent issue of profit, but Michael Jackson is dead!  People who played no part in the creative process of writing and performing "Beat It" want to collect money for the song's popularity, while I would be expected to pay thousands of dollars or more just so the world can watch me dance around the living room in my socks to an old pop song.  And yes, I know there are more complicated things besides a bunch of talentless hacks trying to make extravagant livings from a dead man's music, like contracts, documentation, other boring paperwork and 'showbiz,' but I have an idea.  YouTube, continue to only offer profit from advertisement to users whose videos contain just original content, if the idea of Average Joe making a penny off of someone else's music is really rubbing the RIAA the wrong way (mmm, what's that?  Smells like hypocrisy).  But ultimately, let them keep up the videos!  If Average Joe gets a million hits dancing to music, but he still makes no personal profit from his video, then what is the problem?  This sort of thing is what makes the public wrinkle their noses at the RIAA.

So this is my conclusion:  The RIAA has the right idea...in theory.  Artists need to make a living just like the rest of us, no matter what anyone says.  The big players in the music game are rich beyond the wildest dreams of others, but that is no excuse to download their music without paying for it.  Saying "who cares, Lady Gaga has, like, a zillion dollars and doesn't need my 99 cents" is like going into Wal-Mart and stealing a TV because you think Sam Walton's family already has all the money they'll ever need.  The talent of these artists entitles them to any money they have earned, regardless of what some jealous kid thinks.  However, the RIAA swooping down to destroy videos on YouTube that feature a song and its lyrics, videos that are merely uploaded for the pleasure of others and not profit, is rightfully considered obnoxious.  If the music has already been paid for and doesn't make Average Joe any richer, then who cares if we listen to it for free?  We also listen to music on the radio for free, which is paid for by someone else who intends to make money.  Ordinary people uploading silly videos to YouTube for fun or for others' listening pleasure is a victimless crime.

Music downloads, when not under the watchful eye of the RIAA, also have their place on the Internet--particularly for the promotion of new, independent bands who haven't yet been signed to a record label.  Many of these bands offer free music to get their work out to the public, so check some of these folks out if you like the idea of adding new artists to your MP3 player at no cost.  Overall, I would say there is a time and season for everything, a fact that the RIAA could stand to learn someday.  To return back to where I started, this post ended up not being so short after all!

- Heather