Do you know any big time artists or are they all garage bands because they don’t mind the free promotion but when you get to the big time and are making big bucks then all of a sudden it is a big issue.
A couple are garbage bands, most are not, and a few are award winners (ECMA, JUNO, Grammy...). They have accepted the fact that the internet changed things. Artists are forced to tour more and sell merch other than cds such as tshirts, hats, posters... Not to mention other more creative ways to create revenue. If they are lucky enough to be on the radio they do get some royalties.
Royalyies is why musicians get into business and write good music.
Musicians get into music for the ass, don't kid yourself. Money only comes if you're really good.
Downloader of music they don’t pay for or do not have the permission of the artist’s company are thugs or shoplifters and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.There is a lot of money involved and to give you an example the late Michael Jackson according to his televised bio was making in the Thriller days $250,000 dollars an hour so artists can afford to hire big time lawyers and go after the down loaders as they should.
Just to clarify "Downloader of music" is not the same as file sharer. I can download and still pay. There is a lot of money involved because of the overhead involved in the big labels. Big record companies charge top price for band merch and push artists to the point of collapse and gouge fans just to maximize their profits. From that profit they pay the performers a small percentage and keep the rest. I don't believe that record sales alone are the majority of the profit. I'm not saying it isn't a substantial portion just not at all close to the majority of the profit.
Your example, MJ, is not really the norm in the music industry. You probably picked the richest person in music history. I have no sympathy for artists making .5-15 million for a gig or tour and then whine about losing 15% of total album sales to shared downloads. I'm positive MJ's record company was screwing him.
If you think the filesharing is ripping of artists you should learn a bit about the music industry. This could be the best thing that ever happened for artists as they can now manage themselves and maintain some dignity. Some even form their own labels and are successful.
The game is changing, adapt or die.
