[AlanG]

6. "There are no legitimate services out there for me to use, so I'm forced to fall back on the illegitimate ones."

There are already legitimate sites offering hundreds of thousands of tracks from all the major record companies and many independent labels - and more are appearing all the time.
wow, I have had MP3s since 1997, I dont recall there being any legitimate sites around at that time where I coudl download signed artists music. MP3.com and that was about it, then there was Napster etc a while later.

These sites offer better quality of product and service than illegal alternatives. Many are now offering transfer to portable devices. They are not progressing as quickly as hoped because of stiff competition from free music infringers who have sidestepped all the complex processes involved.
better quality? How is WMA better quality than 320Kbs MP3 with retained digital quality?

And it's just not good enough to say if I can't get it legally, I'll steal it.
So if an album is deleted and can no longer be purchased that is no legitimate reason to download the tracks until such time as the record company decides to re-release the tracks?

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7. "Piracy on the Internet may be a problem, but nothing can be done to stop it."

It is a huge problem, but it has to be stopped and it can be. The recording industry has many ways of stopping illegal downloading and file-sharing; from education programmes and the launch of legal alternatives to technological 'blocks' and - where necessary - deterrence through legal action.
It can be stopped?
Virtual networks
IRC
FTP
Direct connection
future anonymous p2p that encrypts your IP address and doesnt allow its storage for retrieval and ultimately capture.

no. It cant be stopped, accept it and move on.

The music industry has launched many initiatives to educate consumers and businesses around the world about the consequences of illegal online activity. Many people who enjoy music are simply unaware of the effect their actions have on bands and artists.

Everyone knows that one of the best ways to stop people from using the illegal sites is to provide them with good alternatives. Many companies are investing huge amounts in developing legal alternatives. It takes time because it's hard to compete with free, but it is happening.
oh thank ye oh wonderful industry execs for finally blessing us with what the consumers have wanted for 7years. Even although you offered no option on this before and refused to support such measures we will now all rally round you and do it your way.

We're also seeing the start of new systems used for a better electronic delivery of music on the internet. Digital rights management tools are being used to help track music online, so that everyone who needs to be is paid - all the way down the line. New technology is also being used in ever more sophisticated anti-copy control devices for music, similar to those already used on DVDs and computer software.
you mean more money wasted on ineffective copy-protection, how wonderful. Whatever soophisticated method is used there is still one to fall back on - headphone on stereo to input on pc soundcard. It can and will happen.

But there's more to stopping mass copyright theft than by just investing in new legitimate services. Indeed, those new services are not going to flourish if there isn't a fair space for them to develop without being stifled by online piracy. So those who ignore copyright laws should not expect an easy ride.
and those who abuse and twist copyright law should be stopped. The industries abuse of it is NOT what copyright was intened for.

Copyright exists to protect the rights of artists, allowing them to determine whether and how copying, distributing, broadcasting and other uses of their works take place.
then why do standard contracts sign over these rights to the record companies?

In addition, legislation around the world is being adopted to improve rights and technological protection to help fight piracy in the online world. People who breach copyright have to be prepared to face the appropriate legal penalties, including fines.
so for the people who cant afford to buy an album so download it they will be magically able to pay a fine? Logic error: please apply a clue.