Whatever insane method the record companies use to compute their "losses" doesn't really matter. A little thought shows that "pirating" music only makes it more popular, since it reaches more people. Besides, any attempt to restrict the public's freedom to copy and share information is obstructionist, and deserves punishment instead of reward. If the record companies can't keep up with the digital age, then I say pooh pooh to them anyway. They shouldn't have the right to stop people from sharing music in a natural way, and calling it "piracy" is just a smear tactic. Do they really think that copying a tune off Kazaa is the moral equivilant of sailing the high seas, murdering people and attacking ships? I guess some of them do.
I can hear their threat now: If you all share your music, instead of buying it from us at ridiculous prices then we'll stop making music, or go out of business. Everyone else thinks like we do, so then you'll be stuck with no music at all! Bwa hahahahah!
Shit on them! Music was meant to be shared, and the idea of a music "industry" is the most dumbfucked thing ever. And I for one am disgusted by the sheer crap the music industry tends to peddle these days anyway.
[ February 22, 2003: Message edited by: Linux User #5225982375 ]