The Ethics of Stream Rips

[dubman]

i dont give a shit about streams, they're a waste of time aside from seeing if i'll even bother to download something (case in point: skream's new album. not worth downloading). if a full quality version is available, i get it. if i like it and it's on CD, i'll get that. sometimes i'll buy it digitally.

[stimpee]

I think as long as youre not distributing files in the same quality as the stuff thats on sale (or thereabouts) then youre in safe territory. Plus, this stuff has been broadcast so it is akin to recording off the radio. I dont see what the fuss is all about.

[khouri]

It is absolutely ethical to rip and share anything that is released for free. That Underworld are releasing an enhanced version later isn't really relevant as the stream itself is the product in question.

However, when the iTunes EP is released, the hardcore Dirts and RSTR's can elect to shut down distribution of that bootleg so as to drive sales to the band.

[the mongoose]

If it feels good, do it.

[the mongoose]

But honestly, I'm buying a (probably) $30-40 box set eventually......so that's like buying 3 copies of the regular album. It's gotta pretty much work out karma wise and money wise, right?

I don't see the iTunes Festival audio stuff up here on the boards that's easy to d/l etc.....but if I really really wanted it I could use download stream app to get the mp4 from a video site, use a standard audio program to burn just the audio of the mp4 and so on.....so basically anyone could have a free 480p copy that sounds great as a wav on a cd.

But if the album is available in physical form I always prefer cd wav quality (old fashioned) and will purchase it (unless it completely sucks and only 1-2 tracks are worth not chunking into the Recycle Bin...lol).

In a recent example, I preordered 'Further' from the Chemical Brothers as a cd on Amazon, but then was impressed by the fact that iTunes had the Visual Experience ready to download as part of the iTunes pass. So I bought the pass just for the video version and the bonus tracks (hope they keep em coming too!). So when my cd arrived, I didn't have to rip it, move it to my other players, etc.....I was already set. I just popped the cd in once to do a copy disc for the car so it doesn't fuck up the original copy, and put the original away on the shelf for posterity or whatever.

But, guess the point is that all that came AFTER the thread I made with leaked boots and streams abound.