The Internet brings people from all over the world together. They share stories, pictures, music and movies. It seems inevitable that people will share copyrighted materials. The RIAA and MPAA do not want copies easily available for people to download. There is a lot of money and creativity that goes into the production of a Hollywood blockbuster or a hit song. Personally, I feel that in some cases the file-sharing that is being viewed by some as immoral is actually okay. Groups like Radiohead have been working on a different approach with their music, 'when the album In Rainbows was released as a "pay what you want" sales model as an online download.'-wiki
Downloading a song you don't own from a major label artist:
Major record labels are notorious for their bad treatment of artists. I feel as well as high profile bands such as Nine Inch Nails that the major record labels are receiving most of the payment and not the artists. In this case I feel that it is okay.
Downloading a song you don't own from a struggling independent artist (who doesn't give you explicit permission).
Struggling artists have put a lot of time in making their music without the help of a multimillion dollar record company. However, when the music is shared, exposure is gained that may benefit the artist in the long run.
Downloading another copy of a song you already own.
What else could you do with a five year old CD with hundreds of scratches from the normal wear and tear. You already bought the product once, I feel that you are entitled to the song still, being in an .mp3 file is more secure and won't have to worry about scratches.
Shoplifting a CD from a store.
In this case shoplifting is wrong and illegal. That is taking merchandise away from the store and if it happens a lot to a small store could run them out of business.
Downloading a song to "try it out" - if you like it enough, you'll buy the CD.
Like in many other markets there is a try before you buy. When buying my used car, I drove it around and checked everything myself to see if I would like to invest in it. If I didn't want i, I wouldn't have to pay the price just to see if I liked it. With music I see it as the same, if you enjoy the few tracks you downloaded off a new CD and then decided to buy it that's fair.
Copying a CD from a friend, or ripping a CD you own to your hard drive, and then giving the CD away
If you copy the CD for your personal use I don't find that much wrong with that, but when the issue of giving the CD away that shouldn't be allowed.
Making music you own available online to share with a couple of friends.
If it is making a radio station type of thing I could see why someone would want to do this. When it comes to the actual music available for download I don't feel that's fair.
Making music you own publicly available on the Internet, such as through KazAa or Limewire.
Although, you aren't making money for sharing your music library with the masses, giving away music to millions of people affects the record company, but most importantly probably the the artists themselves.
Creating and giving away "Mix CDs" of music you like to friends
Compiling music from different genres of music and sharing them with your friends I feel is the same as letting them hear what you enjoy. Don't feel that this is a bad thing, and usually happens when a middle to highschool boy has a crush on a girl.
Creating and selling "Mix CDs" of music you like to anyone who wants to buy them
There are mix CD's that are actually legitimate and sold in stores like the "Jock Jams" collection or "The 90's classics." With the legitimate mix CD's they pay royalties to the artist. When an individual does this they are making all the profit for something they didn't create, which is wrong.
