Why is it illegal to download music from the web?

Answer 1

Illegal downloading deprives original composers of a fee for their work. Musicians and composers often only have their intellectual property and output available for sale- they do not produce goods - rather than simply produce ideas or performances. To obtain copies of musical works in an unauthorized manner is comparable to stealing goods from a retail store.

If musicians and composers are not paid for their efforts, then they become reluctant to engage in this type of work and ultimately society is the poorer for that loss. We all need to support musicians and composers by paying a fair price for services so that we encourage them to continue giving us pleasure.
Illegal downloading deprives original composers of a fee for their work. Musicians and composers often only have their intellectual property and output available for sale- they do not produce goods - rather than simply produce ideas or performances. To obtain copies of musical works in an unauthorized manner is comparable to stealing goods from a retail store.

If musicians and composers are not paid for their efforts, then they become reluctant to engage in this type of work and ultimately society is the poorer for that loss. We all need to support musicians and composers by paying a fair price for services so that we encourage them to continue giving us pleasure.

Answer 2

It is illegal to download music because when people do it, the artist doesn't receive any royalties for their work, which is how they make their money. Every CD sold is noted by the retailer (through their inventory) and through organizations like SOCAN (the Society of Canadian Authors, Composers and Music Publishers) the royalties are collected and distributed to the artists and composers.

Answer 3

There are some music that are legal to download on the internet whereas there are others that are illegal. Music that has been shared publicly with no restrictions is usually not illegal to download on the internet.

Answer 4

It's not always illegal. It depends on whether or not the music is in the 'public domain', or has been freely given by the composer.

Think of it this way. You have a brainstorm of an idea for an invention that EVERYONE will want. All you need to do is figure out how to mass-produce it, get some backing, and then you're all set to make a fortune on your idea, which is your right. But someone sees your invention, and beats you to it-- He figures out how to mass produce and sell it. You are out of the picture, and people are getting benefit from your idea-- for free, at least as far as you are concerned... You can see that this would not be allowed, as long as you can document that you are the inventor.

Music itself is not something you can touch, but it IS something that someone has made. It is called "intellectual property". It came out of someone's creative mind. If the composer intends to market the music and make some money from it, he/she has every right. Taking it without permission is stealing.

This protection of intellectual property doesn't last forever. You don't have to pay the heirs of William Shakespeare for the rights to stage one of Will's plays. Once intellectual property goes into the "public domain", then anyone is free to use it as he wants.

Answer 5

Nothing, but it depends on where you are getting the music from, if the music is free and the author allows this, it is fine. If you are required to pay for it and you do not pay for the song, yet decide to download it that is illegal.

Answer 6

Because - downloading music without paying for it - is exactly the same as walking into a music store - and stealing a CD ! You deprive the artist of income for their hard work ! If everyone downloaded music for free - the whole music industry would collapse and disappear. If no-one was getting paid for their work - they wouldn't bother producing the music in the first place. Look of it this way - would you do a week, a month or a years work without getting paid ! I think not.