What do you think about people being jailed for pirating music and movies? Does the punishment fit the crime? Or are they just being made an example of with unfairly harsh sentences? Should it even be considered illegal?
If someone stole all your work and then sold it, cuting out your income, wouldn't you want that person to go to jail?
It is ... And should be ... A crime.
Going to jail, though? A bit overboard, IMO.
Instead, the criminals should not only pay for the music ... They should have to pay the cost of the investigation and prosecution. Hit 'em with a garnishment, if necessary, that would last until the debt was paid.
Not really, heck I'd love it if people pirated my stuff. In fact I would encourage it. More people get to enjoy my work. More exposure equals more sales, larger fan base, and builds a bigger brand out of my work. Consumers rule the world.
It is theft, even though those recording them often make more money than they should, but that is the system we have created as consumers. But there are also those that barely make it on the small revenues from their art.