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To: Huck

Hmmm. I am of several minds concerning the "theft" of art. First, are musical works ever really stolen? At least in one sense, no. The music remains, no matter how many people hear it. On the other hand, one should remain in control of that which one creates. Certainly the theft of a CD from the store is indeed theft. What, though, if I overhear someone's CD player playing the CD and pay nothing for it? Have I not stolen the music, at least in one sense? How about if I invite 25 close friends over and play music? 50? 100? 10,000? Can I give the CD away to someone else, or sell it? Perhaps I should only be able to hear the music I buy once, as at a concert. I have not researched the law on this, but I imagine there are some answers there, not that the law is always right (RIP Terri Schiavo).

On another hand, whatever happened to art for art's sake; to people driven to create and perform their art, without thought of pecuniary gain? I remember the "starving artist" and its numerous examples of classical musicians who never made much, if any, money for their work. The questions and answers are difficult. Perhaps a musician should not record his music at all, and thus ensure that it won't be stolen. Just the musings of a non-artist.


173 posted on 04/02/2005 8:58:41 AM PST by NCLaw441
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To: NCLaw441
First, are musical works ever really stolen

Yes. Every day on grokster, kazzaa etc.

251 posted on 04/03/2005 5:31:00 AM PDT by Huck (mp3 file sharing is THEFT.)
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