PIRACY VIEWS

I was told today that someone hit up a link for people to download the whole Chameleon Circuit album for free.

This isn't a big anti-piracy rant, cos honestly, I download music, and I stream TV shows, and I watch films online.

So today I had to deal with something; if I don't mind piracy and I'm happy for it to exist and for me to use it, how can I be sad that my album's going out for free without being a massive hypocrite?

The difference is in my usage. I only download music for free if I intend to buy the album eventually. I have Green Day's album, for example, but I'll be buying a physical CD as soon as I get back to the UK.

I've never posted a link online for people to just download someone's music for free, cos it's pretty disrespectful. If someone told me they wish they could buy the CD but can't for some reason, I do everything I can to help. Can't use a credit card? Spend your cash on an iTunes Gift Card and get the music from iTunes that way. Can't afford it? Get a few friends together to put in a bit of money each and burn the music between you.

I tried searching out the link but couldn't find it. If I did, I'd have left a comment saying the following:

1) I'm glad you like the music :)
2) If you're trying to help out people who can't afford the CD, try and encourage them to do it in other ways.
3) If you just want people to hear the songs, there are three on the MySpace, two you can find on YouTube, and 30-second previews
4) If you just believe everybody is evil and all music should be free, I'd argue that's our choice and not yours, and we're not a major label. I don't have a job xD If we could afford to give it away, we would have. But what it comes down to is that people who might never hear the CD will now have a copy, and maybe they'll feel loyal (or guilty) enough to buy any music we release in the future.

I think that's reasonable.

Alex

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