It's funny how the music industry is enraged about the Internet and the way things are copied without being paid for. But you know why people steal the music? Because they can't afford the music. I'm not condoning downloading music for free. I don't think that's really fair, but I understand it. If you brought CD prices back down to $8.98, you would solve a lot of the industry's problems.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Petty suggests that music piracy stems from high prices rather than pure malice. He argues that lowering costs could resolve industry conflict.
- In plain terms
- People steal music because it is too expensive.
- What can you take from it?
- Lowering prices could reduce piracy and help the industry.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How should artists balance profit and access?
- Does price determine value?
Another view
This view ignores issues of ownership and artist rights beyond price.
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