The Ethics of Downloading Music

Millions of people download music from the internet. Sometimes they are charged for it and sometimes they get it for free. Many think it is moral to do so. Music can be downloaded from many different places.  Musicians sometimes set up web sites to make their music available to the public for free download. This gives them exposure and hopefully encourage people to buy their CD’s.

There are also digital music shops. Here individual tracks and even entire albums can be downloaded for a fee thus enabling artists to actually get paid. These stores are loved by musicians, for in addition to getting paid, they provide global distribution. Proponents argue that downloading is beneficial to artists, record companies and listeners.

However, not everyone agrees that downloading music is ethical. Some believe that this activity is the same as stealing, and no different from shoplifting a CD at the nearby record store. Because it is convenient, many do not see the ethical issues involved in downloading music. Opponents say that because a CD can be shared with a mass audience on the internet, it is not the same as burning a CD for a friend.

Those in favor of downloading free music argue that it helps the artist market his product and that CDs are too expensive. Opponents answer that the decision to market the CD through free downloading must be made by the musician. They also argue that the fact that CDs are overpriced is neither here nor there. It is the creation of the artist and belongs to him.

I believe the opponents of music downloading have the better argument.  I do not believe that any of the proponents would like for their creations to be pirated. Nor do I believe that just because something is easy to do makes it right.  Downloading someone else’s work, be it a CD or a movie, is not just stealing. It is also morally wrong.