Hello:
I have just read the article: “ Digital copyright: Nation of pirates” from Canadian Business magazine, April 26, 2010

http://www.canadianbusiness.co...20100426_10019_10019

After reading it, I think, it’s not only a problem of Music labels and distributors.
I don’t know exactly how is the economic situation in Canada, in Spain we are suffering from a serious economic crisis, people don’t buy music but I think it’s not because they download it from Internet, it’s because they can’t spend money buying things just for fun. When people really likes something, they buy it, of course when they can afford it.

My hometown lives almost exclusively from grapes and wine, it’s a different situation, I know, wine can’t be downloaded from Internet for the time being. Rioja is one of the most expensive wines of Spain; during last 2 years, people must drink water. We don’t sell wine, as a result of this, wine cellars have to close or don’t buy grapes, farmers can’t sell the grapes, but they are spending money to produce them and maybe this year they don’t have to pick them up because the wine cellars are full and don’t need them. The famous wine cellars sell wine, not as much as they did 3 years ago, but the small ones are serious affected, I think it’s the same with music, I don’t think the famous bands or soloists like Loreena don’t sell CDs.

If people have money drink wine, buy the music they like, etc… meanwhile they drink water or cheap wine with fizzy, or listen to the radio or download songs from new bands, but people go to concerts, that’s for sure.
I am optimistic, people who like Rioja wine will buy it again when the economic situation gets better, and the same can be applicable to other business.

My two euros ;-))

Laura&Jose from La Rioja, Spain

CDs/DVDs stuff are far expensive over here in Romania as well - as they came with almost the same price (or even higher) in store as all over in Europe and, generally speaking, the salaries here are apparently invisible small (not just within a quick comparison to other European countries and not only, but the salaries themselves) and many people would rather prefer to simply enjoy the music completely and forget about supporting their artists or the huge pleasure to keep their favourite music albums in their hands, a very discouraging and profound sad moment. I heard and talked with several people around the world and there were so many possibilities similar to download a track/album at first (to check it out and get to know it better) and buy the album eventually - legal downloading services should be very well appreciated. As for myself, I'd never get contented with it as I hope this childhood and strong related to music pleasure of mine of keeping my favourite music products in my hands, analyse it in details and listen to it over and over again, will never be taken away for me - not even for a second.

cool! That's really interesting! Thank you! Your right.
Emi xoxo

Hi Laura and Jose,
I am so sorry to hear about the economy in your town. I do drink a lot of water; but if I could download wine from the 'net, I would and I would pay for it. And it goes the same with music, I buy all my music, lately it hasn't been much since I mainly listen to Loreena. All my other music was purchased years ago. We must have several hundred LPs that we don't play, we just dust them off.
There has been a boom of new wine cellars in my state (Washington) and they seem to be doing fairly well. Not because of me, I don't buy that much wine; if only I could! Good thing I can't!!! Now I sound like a wino! I do enjoy a glass here and there along with Loreena under the full moon. I'm day dreaming again...Loreena keeps doing that to me.
Things change, some things die off, others flourish, and we can't put the toothpaste back in the tube! Just something Loreena said recently that cracked me up!
Peace and Love Be Yours,
Gina

[COLOR:PINK]Hi Airish,

This economic situation has a ripple affect and it's worrying? It just seems to be moving all around the globe. In the US, we are also dealing with the economic crisis. Loss of jobs and such, so it does make it very difficult to purchase things particularly for entertainment. Our government is going through a series of reforms. So the hope is that things will improve.

But it's true that although sells may drop, there are many who will still purchase music, just in a more savvy type of way. I know for myself I have purchased less music and just listened to what I have. And if I really want something badly, I'll get it. Personally I feel a little bit guilty purchasing things other than necessity. But of course purchasing music does help the artists I hope. /COLOR]