95% of 18-24 year olds are illegally copying music

Three decades after cassette decks first allowed people to make free music tapes for friends, a study by the industry group British Music Rights suggests home copying remains just as ingrained in UK culture.

Most of the comments on Digg appear to be in support of illegally downloading music. Of all the comments, the most predictable was one commenter who stated that, “the people who get most of the money aren’t the artists.” Makes you wonder if this guy goes into a grocery store and steals apples simply because farmers don’t get “most of the money” for the stuff they grow.

Most adults should realize that stealing is wrong. Most of us realize that the goods at our grocery store have to be shipped and packaged. They occupy space on the shelves. There are costs above and beyond simply planting an apple tree and picking an apple for us to eat. And the same is true in the music industry.

Yes, it’s true that distribution of music has gotten a lot cheaper. You can ship a song around the world for the cost of the electricity and internet access. It’s true that production of music has gotten cheaper. Many musicians have production level studios in their homes these days. And believe it or not, costs are going down for consumers as well. Many bands are offering their music for discounted prices. But the major record labels still invest A LOT of money into the marketing side of things for their bands. Their costs aren’t going down. So, just like at the grocery store, you’re going to pay through the nose for name brand. Someone has to pay those ad and network execs.  

In the meantime, I for one will make sure that my kids know the difference between wrong and right. If 95% of our teens are stealing music, then we as parents are not doing a good job of instilling the right values in our children. We cannot allow this trend to continue. If you are a Christian, it’s right there in black and white: Thou shalt not steal. If you are not a Christian, then you at least subscribe to certain cultural norms. And I have yet to speak to anyone that believes stealing is ok. And yet we allow our children, nearly ALL of them, to steal on a daily basis? Why? Because record companies are evil?

Take it from a musician. I’m no fan of big record companies. But they served their purpose and they’ll continue to serve their purpose. They are the distribution arm for nearly every great album you’ve owned in your lifetime. Have they ripped off artists? Sure. Have some artists signed BAD contracts? Sure. But none of that gives anyone the right to steal someone’s hard work without even so much as a thank you.

We must all strive to change this trend. It starts with me and you.

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