FFShrine

Originally Posted by Tommy Tallarico

Anyone else agree/disagree or have any comments/discussion points?

While the original right holder or somebody in a closer position is definitely entitled for posting a message like yours, and it's no doubt illegal downloading will bring a potential damage to both record companies and artists, some people (like me) would end up purchasing far less albums if they didn't download anything. Not to dis you, but I'm actually totally indifferent to VGL, let alone buying a concert CD/DVD. I'd definitely be curious about Distant World, Press Start, and to a lessor extent, Chris Huelsbeck's symphonic concert and Play!, but for whatever reasons not about VGL at all. A download link could have be a nice chance for me to turn my attention to what's overlooked, if I had tried to download it.

Again, Tommy, your stance is totally understable. You and VGL should be protected. There is nothing I disagree with in your statement, even if with my different view on file-sharing in general than yours, my final conclusion is to continue to download whatever interests me.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

One interesting notion I have formed over these 5 years is that people who happily accuse others of pirating music are often not the constant buyers themselves, but instead, just the type of elitist who wants to feel superior and posts something smart and witty. They aren't concerned about the industry at all, but make it the reason for the accusation anyway. It's very easy to say "Pirating is an evil" because it's (at least partially) right, but if you officially start to purchase soundtracks, you will realize it's a bit hard to invest money in something you're not sure worth $$$, unless you're a blind collector or the son of Bill Gates. I even suspect part of why there is a conflict is because some people against pirating have never purchased soundtracks.

I don't intend to claim pirating can be justified, in the first place. Also, right-holders or artists themselves like Tommy are absolutely right to say we shouldn't pirate music. Still, there is a reason why I keep downloading music. If this is ever called a guilty, I'll atone for this by purchasing soundtracks out of what I downloaded and liked. That may not be the biggest compensation, but is surely much more constructive than insulting others for pirating.

There's nowhere I can't reach.