WELL: not to be excessively contrarrrian (I'd fix the spelling, but I think the extra r's give it a little kick) today (especially not against Joe, who does so much good work I almost feel bad disagreeing with him at all), but I finally had a thought about his music file-sharing post.
We can agree, presumably, that it's within the bounds of fair use for me to make mp3 copies of cds I already own, for purposes of listening to the same songs on my computer.
Presumably it is also within fair use for me to use said songs to make a mix cd for a friend (though this may be controversial).
Presumably, by the same logic, it's okay for a friend to send a mp3 of a song from a cd they own.
Here's the extended set of questions:
Is it okay for me (ignoring the issue of where I get it) to go out and get an mp3 of a song I own in a format that does not transfer onto my computer (e.g. "So Sister," the b-side of The Verve's "Sonnet" single, which I only have on vinyl)?
If so, is it okay for me to get it to get it from someone who legally owns the cd and has made an mp3 copy of the song for their own use (if not, in what way does it differ from my friend making me a mix cd with the song on it?)? Is it okay if they got it illegally? (this is presumably rhetorical)
What consequence, if any, does the fact that getting an mp3 is often double-blind (they don't know if you're getting the song for a valid use, you don't know if they have the song legally) experience have on the overall morality of the act?
Just some thoughts.
"Thou shalt not extinguish thine anger, but shall master it,
that thy conscience may not be blunted by adjustment
to wrong causes."
-The Dutch Ten Commandments to Foil the Nazis
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