Illegally downloading music is unethical in many ways but many still continue to without a second thought on the matter. By illegally downloading music, the music downloaders are ripping off the not only the artist but the recording company, distributors, and the many others that are involved. The downloaders are only thinking about the convenience and the money that they will be saving for all their songs. It is no longer about risk taking because a lot of people download illegally. Since no one thinks that they will get caught the more they think that it is okay.
John Stuart Mill stated the principle of utility, which is basically explained that it is ethical as long as it provides the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Illegally downloading music is only good for the person that is downloading it. It is stealing and taking money away from the people that created the songs. That is their job, they have the right to make money on something that they artistically created and spent time on.
If there were more consequences for illegally downloading music more people would consider it unethical. Since there is no way of chasing down every offender, people just start to assume that they are safe. If more people receive letters that insist that they cease and desist or receive a fine, people would consider it immoral or have some sort of fear of doing it. Many also believe that the artists make enough money as it is, they become rich it does not matter how many people illegally download the artist's music.
Some support their favorite band financially. Some do not want to rip their favorite bands off and supports them by buying every song that they produce. Unfortunately many do not even want to buy the music off of Itunes since apple receives some of the proceeds. Musicians in the making and well known musicians know how hard the industry can be, so they mainly support other artists.
Artists work hard to produce their songs let alone the writers, recorders, manufacturers, and distributors play a big role in this industry. By illegally downloading music, all of these people are losing hard earned money from their pay check. This is their job and they deserve the money that we are too cheap to spend. Downloading music for free off of torrents or other sites is illegal for a reason. People should be thinking more about the people that they are affecting.
