OK, so I know it’s blown over (for now), but I know this is a discussion that will never die. People are always going to steal things whether it’s legal or not; they’re going to find a way around it.
So let me start by saying this: I steal. A lot. And it’s all done on the computer. But I have to say, I’m 87 percent sure that people out there are actually OK with it. Now, for example, I’m a member of it-leaked.com (and I have no idea what I’d do without it). For those of you who haven’t heard of it, it’s a site where people post CD leaks as well as already released stuff. The thing about this site, though, is that nearly ever label has an employee monitoring the site to make sure leaks happen at the appropriate time. Let’s just say it wasn’t pretty when The Used’s “Artwork” was out nearly four months ahead of time…
So what’s happening here is a strategic release. The thing about it-leaked is that you can’t just sign up. Someone has to invite you. Each membership comes with two free invites, but to earn more you have to upload music to the site. Now, you can also donate money to earn invites. Record labels know that their stuff is going to leak, but here’s an example of how it’s done well.
Now, another thing about stealing music online…is there anything so wrong with converting a YouTube video including a song that doesn’t have a title yet, hasn’t been released, or isn’t available in this country into an MP3 for your own listening pleasure? For example, Avicii’s got a new track out that I adore, but how else am I supposed to listen to it?
So, that being said, I don’t think anyone’s changing their ways anytime soon. Happy listening!
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