Quote: Tim Walker @ October 28 2009, 3:17 PM BSTSo presumably you wouldn't object if there was a system of "try before you buy", in terms of allowing a limited period to listen to a song/album before a digital expiry date? Then you can choose whether or not to purchase and own a legitimate digitised or hard copy CD? Akin to borrowing a book from a library, having to return it on time, then deciding whether you want to go to a bookshop and actually buy your own copy?
Once such a system was set up then all illegal copies would be cracked down upon.
I know that this system is in place with demo versions of software, but I don't know whether they're doing it with media files. If they did I would say fair enough, why not? It's still not really 'akin' to borrowing from a library though. I can extend my loan period for as long as I want, and then if I want to re-read a specific book I just take it out again. I never ever have to make a purchase this way.
My main gripe is that piracy has always been around, but now it's being more highlighted than ever because the big distribution companies are losing profit and being exposed as the needless, extorionate twats they are. Most of the fuss is coming from them, they're the ones losing out the most and I can't say I feel a shred of sorrow for them. You are probably already aware that many new artists are doing well for themselves now that they can be responsible for their own success without having to rely on signing to a record label. As I said I think it's a gray area, there are bad points to this undoubtedly, but it's also a good thing in many ways.
I'm gonna talk to Lee Henman about that one!
