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To Combat Digital Piracy, Try Stealing

Composer pitches real-world thievery to help raise awareness

By Katherine Thompson,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 25, 2009 11:47 AM CST
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(Newser) – A Hollywood composer wants you to stop illegally downloading music, and he's willing to put his freedom in jeopardy to make his point. Because the public doesn't seem to equate swapping digital files with stealing, Richard Gibbs is pushing for people to swipe other products in a nationwide "day of sharing," reports the Christian Science Monitor.

Gibbs has been warned that encouraging larceny—for instance, "test drive a car and simply keep driving"—could land him in jail, but he sees that as something that can only help his cause. "In the process of thinking about a day like this, perhaps the public will come around to understanding how musicians feel," says a music professor—that every free download is the equivalent of a crime.

Composer Richard Gibbs attends the film premiere of 'Love Don't Cost a Thing' in 2003 in Hollywood. Gibbs thinks that music should cost something, and is standing by his belief.
Composer Richard Gibbs attends the film premiere of 'Love Don't Cost a Thing' in 2003 in Hollywood. Gibbs thinks that music should cost something, and is standing by his belief.   (Getty Images)
More people than ever are downloading singles on iTunes, a statistic that shows consumers are willing to pay for music, but illegal downloads still outnumber paid ones, 20 to 1.
More people than ever are downloading singles on iTunes, a statistic that shows consumers are willing to pay for music, but illegal downloads still outnumber paid ones, 20 to 1.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
An Apple customer uses an iPod Nano. Composer Richard Gibbs is battline illegal downloads by encouraging people to steal non-digital goods.
An Apple customer uses an iPod Nano. Composer Richard Gibbs is battline illegal downloads by encouraging people to steal non-digital goods.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
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Order your favorite meal, eat it, and walk out. Test drive a car and simply keep driving. Fill your pockets with candy from the 7-Eleven. - Suggestions from Richard Gibbs of things to do on the Day of Sharing

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
Guest
Apr 2, 2009 1:40 AM CDT
Copyright is a manufactured right. It's original idea was to foster creativity for a fixed short period. It's now been expanded to be a legacy award. Is that really the same as a car? Does the car work for life of the maker + 99 years more and if that comes to an end, the legislation can be changed? And in the meantime, you've sold many many copies of the said car, with barely any expenditure in additional resources. Is there an end? Should there be an end? Was the original idea of copyrights the right idea? Was it a cover for perpetual rights? Does anyone even remember why copyrgihts came about...?
scottaco
Feb 25, 2009 9:49 PM CST
You go to an art gallery. You look at the paintings. If you like it enough, you buy it. Just saying.
Guest
Feb 25, 2009 5:21 AM CST
Everyone should take as much as they can and take classes on giving back.

About the Day of Sharing
dayofsharing.com

UK wants worldwide anti-downloading strategy
Guardian (UK)

 
music industry • music downloads • theft • iTunes • composer • digital music • Napster • illegal downloading • Digital Millenium Copyright Act • Richard Gibbs • Day of Sharing

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