THE FACTS ABOUT DOWNLOADING, FILE SHARING, AND CD BURNINGDEFINITIONMusic piracy is any form of unauthorized duplication and/or distribution of music including downloading, file sharing, and CD-burning.CONSIDER THISMost of us would never even consider stealing somethingsay, a picture or a piece of clothing from a friends house. Our sense of right and wrong keeps most of us from doing something so selfish and antisocial. Yet when it comes to stealing digital recordings of copyrighted music, people somehow seem to think the same rules dont applyeven though criminal penalties can be as high as five years in prison or $250,000 in fines. Contrary to popular opinion, illegally downloading or copying copyrighted music is the same as stealing; there is no difference.BOTTOM LINE : It's StealingStealing music is the same as stealing anything else. It is illegal and the consequences are real - for you and for the music. * Stealing music is against the law. * Stealing music betrays the songwriters and recording artists who create it. * Stealing music stifles the careers of new artists and up-and-coming bands. * Stealing music threatens the livelihood of the thousands of working peoplefrom recording engineers to Christian music retailers and their staffs who are employed in this ministry.Enjoy the music! But please respect copyrights. Stop burning multiple copies. Stop offering to upload music files to millions of users on the Internet. Stop downloading from unauthorized sites.EFFECTS ON YOUMusic piracy doesnt just affect the music industry, it affects you as well. When you use software that facilitates illegal downloads, you open your computer to unwanted pornography, security breaches, and viruses. Illegal downloading and file-sharing is also subject to federal prosecution. Here are a few facts: * The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) can sue for as much as $150,000 per song illegally downloaded. * Almost 2000 individuals have been sued by the RIAA for illegally downloading as of March, 2004. * More than 400 individuals have settled, paying fines averaging $3000. * The Department of Justice recently announced the creation of the Intellectual Property Task Force, which examines all aspects of how the DOJ handles intellectual property issues.EFFECTS ON ARTISTS & THEIR MINISTRYThe explosion in illegal copying is affecting the entire music community. It has a very real and harmful impact on virtually everyone - from countless musicians, songwriters, performers, producers, recording engineers and others who use music as their platform for ministry. Article continues [url=http://www.cmta.com/brochure.htm]here[/url] with much more information.
_________________TJ
An aside: Nothing that is for the Glody of God (alledgedly) should be copyrighted. "Ministries" that want $6 for a CD and $65 for a CD set, and then say they are copyrighted are not biblical. Christian "entertainers" and "musicians" need to ask themselves some serious questions about their pure motives for putting out what they do.As well, a dear brother lent me an audio CD of David Brainerd's life from the words of his own diary. Some company then went out published it and now are claiming copyright. Tell me how you can go and copyright another man's own words from time past?I commend ministries like Kent Hovind Creation Science Evangelism, Christ Our Life (worship music), Author Mark Cahill, etc who put their materials out with no copyright where it is for the free distribution for the furtherance of the Gospel. For example brother Hovind's creation science DVD's are non-copyright and I have seen the fruit of souls saved and blessed because we could reproduce and freely give them out. Shame on those who are out to profit from the Gospel.
Shame on those who are out to profit from the Gospel.
_________________Michael Strickland
Brothers and sisters, with all meekness and fear of the Lord I write this, not to say hurtful things against any, but to make a point.Christian artists edify us with their beautiful compositions, and those musical recordings are not made for free, but cost tens and hundreds of thousands of dollars to record, produce and distribute. Studio time, the cost of building the studio, equipping it with state of the art equipment, studio musicians, producers, engineers, and then we go to the manufacturing aspect and the many people that make their living there. The artist is only a small piece of that price of the CD you buy at the bookstore.If the artist openly stated that the CD is free, then it's not theft to copy and distribute. If they ask you to not reproduce their work, and you do, it's theft.The Word tells us to prefer our brothers over ourselves. If I scream against spending a few dollars to buy a product that my brother has made and sells to make a living, is my brother at fault for requesting to be paid for his labor, or am I for the seed of greed that may be lurking in my heart? I'd rather pay double for the CD than offend my brother and perhaps my Lord.
_________________Don
Hi everyone.I'm very grateful for those who have made so much available to others without charge(Edit: with purity and integrity).A short while ago I happened to see some music videos on a religous programing channel and the videos were very shocking. I recognised one of the songs that I had heard on the radio before and I don't think I would care to hear it anymore after seeing the video that the person made to accompany their song.Offering simple and wholesome words in song to others, free of charge, is beautiful.
_________________Christopher Joel Dandrow