Bono's net policing idea draws fire

i'm bobo check out the shades

Bonno's a douche

Ok Jubal, my question to you is this: Do you download music that you have never purchased in the past on an alternate format? I get your point about not wanting to repurchase music you already have on vinyl or cassette.

Of course it's well known the record companies rip off musicians as well. But even $0.25 an album is better than $0. My point isn't about musician's being ripped off by record companies. It goes way deeper than that. My point is how the average person believes he is ENTITLED to download the newest single or entire cd of a given artist WITHOUT PAYING FOR IT. It's the principal of the thing.

One more thing I wanted to say about the whole downloading issue. When it first started in the late 90's, the RIAA had the chance to set fair policy and begin licensing sites to pay royalties for the music. People were putting it out there that these new websites should be allowed to charge a fee for the downloads and pay royalties to the RIAA member labels, but the RIAA said NO FUCKING WAY, because they were not going to accept $.25 cents per song as a royalty, when they were used to getting $1.25 per track selling them on CD's. They were extremely behind the times when they should have led the way. They wouldn't be in the world of hurt they claim to be in if they had had the vision to see that downloading was going to be the wave of the future. (They were fine with paying their artists 5 cents, but they weren't going to accept 25 cents as a royalty)

If they had been reasonable with Morpheus, Napster, Kazaa, or others, they would have setup up pay per download from the very start instead of trying to put these companies out of business. The real reason they went for the jugular is that they wanted to have total and absolute control over the market. They weren't prepared to meet the challenge of the technology. Its really their own greed and shortsightedness that has now come back to bite them in the ass. Its their Karma for using a business model that was based on ripping off both the consumer and the artist, sort of like burning a candle at both ends.

With over 100 Billion illegal downloads during that early period of time, if they had agreed to a reasonable royalty, they would have had 100's of Billions of lost profits.

So instead they inadvertently created a whole generation of consumers who were used to getting free music, like we used to get when we listened to the radio and used our cassettes to record our favorite songs.

I have been reading people's arguments about the author being paid, that they have a right to control the distribution of their content, that technology has made it possible for people to steal content, etc.

Well what about all the stealing that has been done legally by the Recoding Industry Association of America and all of its members. Perhaps many of you have not been alive long enough to remember vinyl records and cassettes. Well I have been around since the 60's and my first collection of music was on Vinyl, then when things switched to cassette, I had to repurchase many of the same titles again on cassette, then when everything went CD I had to purchase the same titles again on CD. How many fucking times do I have to pay for the music I purchased back in the 60's? I should not have had to fork out $20 for a vinyl record, $20 for a cassette, and then $20 for a CD. People like me are pissed that we have been milked for decades by the Recording Industry Association of America as technology changed.

We should have been licensed to convert our music to the new technologies without having to purchase a new format. That is how they have been ripping off the consumer. But many of you don't realize that because your whole world has been CD's and now MP3's.

Now when you factor in the fact that the RIAA member labels for the most part have paid their artists perhaps $.05 to $.25 per album sale of $20, Then who is really doing the stealing? Who is ripping off who? It seems to me that RIAA member labels are making out like bandits while both the consumer and the artist are getting fucked.

And if that weren't enough greed on the part of the RIAA, they lobbied congress to extend artists rights, which they owned, an additional 70 years, touting their legislation as "good for the artist" but the god's honest truth is that it really benefited the contract holders. That is why very high caliber artists who had the clout renegotiated their contracts upon expiration or they formed their own labels, to regain and purchase back the rights to their music from RIAA member labels.

The real criminals are the Recording Industry Association of America member labels.

Why don't you all think about that?

It's not even about money. And it's not about control. It's about people stealing and believing because this new technology (not really new anymore) allows them to steal without consequence (in form of punishment) it is socially acceptable for them to do so. It is insane the number of people who if you say to them they shouldn't download a song or a cd will laugh, or argue that is their right. It is sad.

What is going to happen with the new apple tablet, the nook from barnes n noble, and all the other new e-readers being released? I am willing to bet in 5 years or less there will be streams on the internet where you can download the newest best selling book for free. And you will believe it is your right to do so. You will say the author's creation automatically belongs to society. Our selfish, ignorant society.

Ultimately, this is not about money. This is about control. The internet represents a revolution as well as evolution, and those who do not embrace it will be left behind. Bono is calling for a police force on the internet, and what usually follows something like that is subjugation of our individual rights. How come I never hear artists complain about all the loads of extra money they are making from video games?

So, do you guys really believe that, at five movements, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony—considered to be one of the greatest artistic achievements in human history—is worth less than $5?

And, at fourteen segments, Wagner's Ring Cycle—a 15-hour long masterpiece which took him 26 years to write—is worth less than $14?

Wow, I am rethinking my opinions of the people who visit this site after reading 98% of the responses to this story. It strikes me as amazing all of the people who believe they are entitled to steal someone's work. Would you walk into your local CD shop (assuming it still exists), grab a CD, and walk out without paying for it? I doubt it. Downloading a record isn't any different.

As a drummer, I can tell you how much work it is to make a record. It takes MONTHS to YEARS. Hours of frustration, writer's blocks, etc. It is true that sometimes giving away music for free is a great promotional thing to do, and it can help bands out. But don't you think it should be up to the creator of the work to determine how it is given away, and how much is given away?

I am not a particular fan of U2, but I admire Bono saying this. It takes someone who is well known to be listened to. And you people choose to ignore the point he is trying to make, and instead decide to bash his character. Maybe that makes you feel better about yourselves for being thieves.

I suppose if you aren't an artist, it is hard to understand. We don't work simply as volunteers. You aren't stealing only from people like Bono and Lars Ulrich who already have millions of dollars and could easily afford to give their work away. You are taking food and gas money out of the hands of hard working bands, bands that are just starting up and struggling to make ends meet as it is. Bands that weren't fortunate enough to have started their careers before a record could be downloaded in 2 minutes. It's possible the best band you never heard will figure they won't make any money in music and decide to take on boring office jobs instead, not because they want to but because they feel as though they have to.

Choad.

This is an example of the corporate mindset. Bono has now become a corporate shrill, putting out the corporate line, and putting out corporate junk music. If he put out good music, people would buy it. You can't put out an inferior product and expect people to buy it. I love that bands that put out bad music blame the internet for its failure. Using China as an example? Holy shit, might as well use Hitler's lines. The sunglasses are hiding the fact that he is now soulless.

We are in an era where people need to see a CARING attitude. If these rich people would just take a moment and look around, they would know that the worst thing they can do is open their mouths at all.

Not reluctant, just tired of being ripped off with WAY Overpriced material. As I said, if they want to sell more material then sell it at an appropriate price. Nothing will stop some people from getting material Free on the net, but it will give people like me a chance to BUY the material at a reasonable price because I would rather buy it if it were priced correctly. Until then I will continue to get the inferior MP3 files on the net instead of the CDs with their far superior Wave files and all the extra materials that come with them.
Price it correctly instead of ripping people off and more CDs will be sold. Economics 101

pompous you know what!! i am sorry to see that he sees benefits in china's policy that curb free speech

Not that I am too surprised. In fact, expect more celebrities to "come out" in support of the corporate fascist take-over.

Man, Bono's head has to be waaaaay up in the clouds for him to complain about not making enough money after U2 topped 2009's list of top-grossing live acts. Meanwhile, the greater majority of the people in the world are suffering incredible strain on their own pockets. You are a shill for the corporate elite, Bono, and you don't even realize it. So disappointed, I was such a fan.

Why do all of his songs sound like Bloody Sunday to me?

There is a simple solution that does not involve net censorship. If the record companies would stop OVER charging for their material then people would more often buy their material. For instance; if CD's were $5 to $7 then people would buy more. Me, I would prefer to have the CDs with the superior sound of the wave files and all the pictures and material that comes with it if it were priced reasonably but at the current prices I will continue to get inferior MP3 files from free servers. MP3s are also WAY overpriced. I think they should charge around 30 to 50 cents for a music file because many people would prefer to download the legal files if they were reasonably priced. This will not stop all the free downloaders, nor should it, but it would make a big difference to the record companies and the artists. Are the record company executives too stupid to realize this or just too greedy? My guess is GREEDY!

well i am glad to see musicians whine cause they feel thier wallets are impacted, frankly i feel like a victim everytime i buy a cd to find out there are only 2 or 3 good songs on the album, or musicians could go to the extent to make sure that evey storefront that sells music should also have a listing station. or just sell singes so i dont need to buy 10 lousy songs for 15-20 bucks vs 3 dollars for 1 single. (so BONO dont try and tell me about theft)

when musicians start making a cd worth buying, ill buy it!

untill then i support my local lousy radio stations, and whatever free content i can find online

I’m pretty sure this is the same road that Metallica went down… into the dark black whole called, wake the hell up! It’s the 21st century… Bono needs to reevaluate his life and in embrace the fact that he needs to have valuable content able for his fans that he controls, at a far price… Until he understands this he will continue to lose value in his brand. Hopefully he sees the light… I wouldn’t want all of the good things, around the world, that he has done to be forgotten! Thanks for listening.. wt ;-)

Bone no has lost sales because he sucks and folks don’t buy crap. His punk-ass friends in the NWO that control the media have promoted only fellow no-talent demons. Music is dead.

http://www.goarticles.com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=2449463

As soon as one tries to compare RIAA / Big 4 losing money to child pornography tactics while simultaneously applauding the technical merits of China censure-ship, I think we really need to reevaluate our priorities. Why not sum it up with an allusion to Hitler and say 'Imagine what we can accomplish with just a little charisma and control of the media outlets!'
Bono, I sincerely hope this is misguided altruism, because the alternative is truly frightening.

I like Bono and U2 less.

Bono who the fuck u think u r to say something like that? good thing u dont have the power to change things like this, if u like the idea of how china is controlling the internet, on their territory why the fuck dont u move out to china and sell ur music to them cuz all that matters to u is the money so i bet ull be happy over there. I wish u had a super elastic body to bend ur back and neck so u can stick ur head into butt hole and see what u r really made of

If he wants to make even more money off his music, more power to him, but in the process of him making untold millions, he wants to track every step everybody makes on the net just in case a couple of people might actually still want to listen to his drivel. That seems to be the real issue hear.

Bono can eat a fucking dick.

One too many Grammys.

This guy really believes that he's the second coming...

And stay the fuck out of Africa. Your ego has gotten in the way.

There is already a mechanism for establishing a maximum wage...it is called "income taxes." Most people in the top tax brackets are paying somewhere in the 45-50% range when federal and state income taxes are added together. Establishing an additional top end tax bracket or two at the Federal level with rates of 50, 60, 70% would, when added to state income taxes, certainly put a big crimp in the incomes of the top earners. Now whether that is consistent with a free market economy is another argument entirely...

Shut up and Sing.

This is why I support the "maximum wage" idea. Simply put, once you do get to a certain point in salary, you pretty much are taking away from everyone else. The only way the rich people are rich is that there are poor people to make them rich. If everyone was or could be rich, the word wouldn't exist, and there would probably be a lot less suffering.

I feel that quality artists, teachers, doctors, and quite a few other occupations should be well compensated, but not to this; Bonos' astronomical degree. He can have a big bowl of STFU.

Further anyone who is defending this douche should be well aware they are only implying that they too are, or long to be ungodly rich and oppressive.

Bono wrote something for the New York Times?

I hope someone got fired.

I’m just downloading an entire DVD of the last tour of Nine Inch Nails recorded and produced entirely by fans!! A great example of the use of new media.

And now this douchebag is using Chine as an example of what it must be done????

No one is going to listen to a washed-up and decrepit old rocker who has lost touch with the pulse and heartbeat of the music fans/industry.

Bands like Radiohead have the right idea about music sharing. Embracing the new wave of culture instead attempting to suppress is the best way NOT to alienate your fans and continue to be a successful musician.

This just shows how disconnected from the real world Bono is. Is anyone really surprised?

This just shows how disconnected from the real world Bono is. Is anyone really surprised?

we has the wiki...

lol both isp's and the recording industry are evil

in my personal memo to bono...

i am glad to see you have not done your homework... and i am glad to see you for what you really are... just another elite whore looking to help control the world...

and by the way, your music... it sucks... and your glasses... are horrid to look at...

have a nice day.

The only ones complaining about file sharing are the big record companies and their acts, everyone else knows that it has enhanced the music scene and washed away the crap that had saturated the airwaves for too long. These days music is more forward thinking, diverse, interesting and accessible to the masses that can only be a good thing. If music is good and people want it they will buy it or at least pay to go see them in concert, keeping the real artists in business. bono's a wank!

bono makes my butt itch, but what he's saying isn't outrageous. he wants to profit from his business &yeah, he's gonna make a lot of money regardless of who downloads what. but who's to say how much money one can make before it's okay to steal from him? besides, the only logical reason for disagreeing with what he's saying is because you feel guilty :(

i refuse to take bono seriously until he takes his fucking sunglasses off, and removes the major label dick from his mouth.

its hilarious, bono has the same archaic view on filesharing as j_jammer.

i'm really getting tired of talking about this shit, i think we just need to cull all of the old world thinkers when it comes to the music industry and intellectual property in general. the times and ways people get their art are changing, so should the methods of distribution and payment.

get with the fucking program guys, you can't stop the internet.

The only musicians that deserve to be musicians are the ones who aren't in it for the money.

Proving that even someone claiming to be "charitable" is willing to sell freedom to put a buck in his own pocket. Used to buy U2s music. Won't be anymore.

information has costs and a price and isn't free. tools and a home are costs. if you have $150 in your bank account you must be eating out of dumpsters and reading and posting in the library. nothing's free but we're all dependent on things other than money. the fact that information really is free these days is hurting those that produce it. you're all middlemen.

I have always loved Bono and U2 - great music. And Bono was cool when he was speaking out for Africa and other charitable causes. But this blows. It indicates that he has lost touch with his audience and contemporary culture. His whining rings hollow.

It's the old way of thinking about the music industry. Today's bands know that the money is in touring and in merch. One of my favorite bands, the lead singer said in an interview, "Now my parents can be proud that I'm a musician because it's actually a real job. We have to work hard!" They find ways to market themselves because they realize the money isn't all going to come from album sales. I think Bono needs to get with the program.

He should have learned from Metallica.

Bono is a giant douche. Enough said

shut up bono.

hang the record companies!
yo ho yo ho yo ho
$.99 a song? hell no!
ye scurvy kerr!
arrrrgggg net pirate for life!

No one is gonna download you stuff anyways bonor

It looks like Bono should take a lesson from Coldplay who actually gives away free music on their website. After Coldplay gave away the free album 'LeftRightLeftRightLeft', I went to the iTunes Music Store to buy a few of their music videos to show thanks. U2, pick up the torch.

revolutioninamerica 5 your right..........Fuck you bono just fuck you!!!!
The album sales are down but both the movie and music industrie both made a ridiculas amount of money but still bitching wow greed has really taken over (its not like i'm just notcining this now its been a while)

when band people hear themselves too much they actually start believing they matter. turn down the chatter and turn up the music

The man's wearing purple glasses..

your comments are all excellent. I would like to add that just because someone illegally downloads something doesn't mean that they won't end up buying it. For example, me and episodes of Doctor Who. Originally I watched illegally but now I have some money and I downloaded them. Was anyone really hurt by this? I wouldn't just buy episodes of a TV show I never watched, but once I watch and love I will download them.

He is stuck in the old ways . Blind to the future . Music has always been priceless , so has art . Just give the artists tools and a home , and they will not stop their work . It is a labor of love . Never really about money . He just got used to getting overpaid.

They get paid too much any ways... I'm all for supporting up and coming artists that aren't too well known, but i don't feel a bit or remorse for those that are rolling around in millions of dollars, while i'm sitting here with less than $150 in my bank account.

What happened Bono, need another lavish vacation in St. Tropez. All this is coming from the guy who acts like a walking-talking charity event. I guess I'm really glad I don't like his music. I bet he has song writers!!!

But seriously, "It's a beautiful day!!" There are more people that aren't a fan of this cheeseball than I thought.