The Wall Street Journal reports today that the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is giving up its current method of tracking down internet pirates.
Rather than bringing suit against music fans illegally downloading music – which has not only been ineffective but more than a little bit excessive in some cases – RIAA has been negotiating with internet service provides to stem music piracy.
The Wall Street Journal says:

“Depending on the agreement, the ISP will either forward the note to customers, or alert customers that they appear to be uploading music illegally, and ask them to stop. If the customers continue the file-sharing, they will get one or two more emails, perhaps accompanied by slower service from the provider. Finally, the ISP may cut off their access altogether.”

What does this have to do with Christian music?

I’m amazed at the number of Christians who illegally download music. I get that non-artists don’t understand why they have to pay for art, but if they took two minutes to think about it they’d realize that they’re basically stealing from the people they claim to love. Don’t believe me? Check out this post I did in October. Point #3 explains how illegal downloading hurts your favorite music artists.
But even more importantly, downloading music without permission or without paying for it, or even sharing music you paid for with everyone online, is illegal! As Christians, we’re supposed to be upholding laws like this. We’re not talking about a moral issue that’s contrary to the Bible. We’re talking about paying for a product that has a price tag on it. You wouldn’t walk into Best Buy and put a CD in your pocket and walk out, just because you think you deserve to listen to it without paying. So why do you think it’s OK to steal music? I just don’t get it.
Understand, there’s a big difference between legal downloading and illegal downloading. The music industry has gotten very saavy about using digitial downloads to promote music, and artists have found that by giving away songs they can generate a buzz for their music. So when you have a legal download, follow the rules that go with it, and download to your heart’s content.
But music fans still need to obey the law, and when it’s not a free download, don’t steal it. And I’m sorry, but Christians should be setting the example on this one.
If you have questions about music piracy, and what’s legal and illegal, the RIAA has a guide to internet downloading for parents and teachers available on the RIAA website.
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