What would happen if ALL illegal downloads were completely outlawed?!
Question: for one thing...there would 50% less traffic around here from people usin' yahoo answers as a way to find illegal download information...
Answers: for one thing...there would 50% less traffic around here from people usin' yahoo answers as a way to find illegal download information...
cds would start selling better
They already ARE outlawed, but they just don't enforce it very well.
Well, if they're "illegal," they are by definition "completely outlawed."
But to answer (what I think is) your question, my guess is that people would download less music because they would now have to like it enough to want to pay for it (even charging $0.01 is enough of a barrier if there's a song you're not sure you really like). Sadly, I think people's music tastes might be less varied and original as a result, since finding out if you like an unknown band or new genre would now be more costly.
Also, companies like iTunes would probably start charging more because they would no longer have to compete with illegal free downloads.
There may be a similar effect on price/sales of CDs, but I don't think it would be nearly as pronounced, since internet downloads are so prevelant and convenient, and people can use them to buy songs they like (rather than whole albums)-- I think the people who still buy physical CDs to get the whole album & experience wouldn't alter that behavior as a result of illegal downloads being eliminated. They're not perfect substitutes by any means.
For something to be illegal, it has to be against the law. So yeah, they already are. There's just a few enforcement problems.
98% of the teen population would be rightfully fined or imprisoned for stealing - music, movies, plagarism, etc.
I honestly think that downloads like this should have stricter and harsher punishments - as a teenager I know that many of my friends would get in trouble for it
as a musician I know that I would not want some kids stealing my work