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Ooh one guy with 57 songs, yeah that's really slowed things down. BTW do we know if this person illegally copied songs before? If they did before have they stopped now that iTunes is up? If the answer to either of those question is no then they provide zero evidence to support your claim.

Are you claiming that people who are swapping now wouldn't buy the music if availiable in a more consumer-friendly model? That would be incorrect. Many people swap because the current model is unfriendly, and the music industry doesn't want to change it. Many people will buy with a more friendly model. Price isn't the only issue. Convenience, quality and loyalty are also variables in the consumer equation with music. You get the more friendly model, and people will buy, because they'll want something that's more convenient, that has better quality then downloaded music, and because they want their favorite artists to be happy and make more music. The consumer wants to define the goods and services. I don't agree that file swapping is the correct way to get things changed, but with the music industry, it seems to be the only way (and the music industry still isn't getting it. If they don't adapt to consumer wants, they won't stay up for much longer. Basic economics will take over, and the model will shift to online services such as the one Mac has, and the artists will shift to those that arn't afraid of the internet model).

-The Hajman-

Are the songs available by iTune being downloaded less often illegally than songs not available on iTune? If not then my position is correct, if so then yours is. If your position was correct do you honestly think there would be a single band or record company reluctant to have their stuff on iTune? Why would anybody want to pass up an opportunity to both increase revenue and decrease theft of their product?

I think there are too many law abiding citizens on this thread. You don't understand the mind of sharers. Go spend some time in the warez newsgroups. A lot of these people don't actually want the item, they want the joy of stealing. As for the others only time will tell, so far iTune hasn't had the slightest impact on illegal file sharing, it might be too early to tell, but I don't think so.

Many people swap because the current model is unfriendly, and the music industry doesn't want to change it. Many people will buy with a more friendly model. Price isn't the only issue. Convenience, quality and loyalty are also variables in the consumer equation with music. You get the more friendly model, and people will buy, because they'll want something that's more convenient, that has better quality then downloaded music, and because they want their favorite artists to be happy and make more music.

Well said. But in disco's eyes, you're defending thieves.