Who here knows it is illegal to..

[Gamerace]

I rarely download music, and when I do I don't feel guilty, 'cause I haven't bought a CD since... hell, ever. Last time I bought music is was cassette tape. I don't buy music. Just listen to it on the radio, but if there's something that I really like more than it's getting radio played, I might download it.

If there was no internet, I'd have recorded it off the radio like I use to. Know what? That wasn't illegal. What's the difference really?

As for movies, I do download every movie I won't pay to see, usually when it's out on dvd for a good quality. If I end up liking the movie, I go and buy it. If not, then I'm glad I didn't pay.

Without internet I may have rented it or waited for it to come out on tv. And then recorded it. Hmmm.... that's not illegal either, but same result.

For PC games, I totally agree. I shamefully admit to doing it to (although it's not illegal here in Canada) when I couldn't afford to buy the game. I do try to get the game later though when I can afford it. They definitely lose some money though because I end up paying 1/2 or 1/4 the price it was when I played it.

What's FAR, FAR worse for the gaming industry though is buying used games. It's directly taking money away from the game publishers and studios. Only the store profits. My city outlawed this, but it was overturned by the courts. Why is this legal when downloading is not? Of course, you buy used books, furniture etc.....

Ultimately downloading is only bad if you don't support the artists/films/games you love. Otherwise imho it's no different than recording music, movies or buying used versions of movies/games. None of which is illegal although it can cost the studios far more money.