An Entire Generation of So-Called “Pirates”:

Why Do So Many People Download Free Music And Free Movies?

Let’s face it, the music industry is in a state of panic these days. Why? Because people download free music from P2P sites like Kazaa, Limewire, and now torrent sites. The RIAA is bringing lawsuits against random people in an effort to “make an example” of people who illegally download free music, and as a result, teaching a lesson to everyone downloading free music.
The problem is that the so-called “pirates” out there are not just people without a conscience who want to break the laws. There are many who believe that the music industry is not making the buying and selling of music in the new millennium fair and user-friendly to consumers. So some people are fighting back in their own small way. They download free music, sometimes legally from sites like www.soundclick.com and www.myspace.com, other times from P2P programs like Kazaa and Limewire.

In the new millennium, it seems that there are almost more questions than answers. We are at a crossroads, a pivotal moment in the history of not only technology, but in the way we interact and communicate as individuals, and as groups. The problem with corporations and major groups like the MPAA and the RIAA are that they are run by “suits,” people with very little (if any) real-world, hands-on street knowledge of what today’s young adults are looking for! As a result, their business model is “so last millennium!” you could say.

This brings light to the reasoning behind the “pirates.” Bear in mind, essentially an entire generation is dubbed pirates and regarded as criminals by Big Business. If the MPAA and RIAA would take the time to get to know this generation and how they tick (like the folks at Real Networks obviously thought of when they created the excellent business model known as Rhapsody), the new generation would embrace the legal way of doing things. In America, history has shown that “We The People” is a powerful concept.

The common wisdom of the masses can really have a positive impact in the way that we do things, and the systems that enable us to do them. I think this generation has spoken. Sure, they would “like” to continue to download free music and free movies. But would they compromise and go through with purchasing movies and music the legal way? Absolultey, if the means to do so were convenient and the content reasonably priced. iTunes is a start, but if the MPAA want to prevent people from illegally downloading free music, they have a lot of thinking to do. Perhaps it’s time to hire some people under 30 (even under 20) to help innovate the music and movie industries. Real Networks’ Rhapsody shows that it IS possible to simultaneously control the use of content in a fair and reasonable manner, while making it “feel” as if you can download free music. The same could be done for the movie industry. There could be a Movie Rhapsody (or perhaps the existing rhapsody could have an updated tab containing movies and TV shows)! How cool would that be? Bottom line: the means and the pricing need improvement. No question! And the industry needs to take the time to hire younger people, and open a dialog with this generation (and the upcoming generations) if they want to stay alive in the new millennium.