Its not an attempt to justify theft at all, not from me anyway. From the outset I said it must suck, and I said that I would be pissed off too. I also said no disrespect intended, and I meant that.

But I also meant it when I said (more or less) get over it. We've all heard about this crap so many times now.

One thing I've noticed though, is that this thread runs in cycles (just with new names), but every time the subject of tinternet and downloading comes up, I'm noticing more and more positive ideas and stories relating to the use of the internet for furthering rather than hindering people in our scene. There are always new sites mentioned that are selling mp3s, or new ideas about how to stay in the game. Crime has come out with alot of interesting information this time around if you ask me. Thing is, alot of it would be common sense to business types - cut overhead and costs, stay close to the source of business, concentrate on the main breadwinner. Still, it helps to hear these things sometimes, especially as musicians very very notoriously are bad at business and usually die penniless - even the very very famous ones - am I the only person here who realises this? Anyway, its always amusing, and I think eventually, through mashing it out like this, we will sort it all out one day (but what will come along and destroy music then?).

And as for people paying for other forms of entertainment - do they really, all the time? You sure people dont just sometimes go to the library and check a book out - for free! Are you telling me you've never watched a pirate DVD? What about borrowing a CD/DVD/video game off a friend, you're listening/watching/playing but not paying! And everyone must have copied a tape or a CD at some point. And what about buying records second hand - the artist isn't getting any money from that, so thats well harsh isent it?

I'm not saying people should just borrow and copy all the time. I definately do not, I'll say it again, I AM NOT A THEIF. Come round to my house and check out my hundreds of CDs and DVDs and books and even a fair few records despite the fact I dont play records. If I bought every single tune I ever listened to, book I've read, film I've watched, and game I've played, I would have to be living in the millenium dome, just so I could store it all. I'm sure its the same for everyone else. I buy as much as I can, and anything that I borrow or check out from the library or hear on the radio - or download - and really like, I buy it, once again, Im sure just the same as most people on here.