SIMON `Big Tune´ Benjamin is a 25-years-old rising audio engineer/ dancehall music producer. His view on piracy, which is in "The American Heritage" dictionary defined as "the unauthorized use of reproduction of copyrighted or patented material," is one that all should consider and act on.

Mr. Big Tune is concerned about the music industry and how rapidly it is dwindling. It is no secret that piracy is causing serious damage to the industry. He explained that the industry really destroys itself by creating a product and then making duplication a possibility (such as a CD burner.)

Many people have access to the internet and a burner, so violating the law where stealing is concerned is negligible. Those who are aware of the crime but still pursue it, know that the chances of being caught are very slim. In the event that someone is found with illegal copies, a few thousand dollars penalty or up to five years in prison does not seem like much, but after thinking about it, a few dollars or cents can guarantee that you´re on the safe side. Is it worth the risk?

There are very affordable ways to get tracks. Take for example, the "iTunes" online store. This music distributor really enhances the possibility of downloading - legally - single songs or instrumentals for just US$0.99 cents each. Burning one copy in this case is allowed because it's been paid for. People who are desperate for just the number one hit do not have to get involved in pirating a whole CD. It is really made easy.

Digital media is known for its good quality, and that is taking the business to a new dimension. Quality is what we look for in whatever we spend money to buy, but people are taking advantage of the effort others make, to take their career to a new, better and higher level.

Artist and musicians have to pay engineers for their studio time. How would music be without the skills of an audio engineer? It is not an easy task to compose, record, and/or mix music.
To create a good music studio with high standard equipments can cost between,
US$100 and 200,000. Most expenses are being covered from what is earned. A lot more than we think, has to be invested in music production.

If the plague of piracy continues, music will have little but no value because no one will see the need to purchase the copy they desire. Some people think, if it is free on the internet, why spend money? This attitude really destroys the possibility of support from the public.

"One of my greatest wish," he said, " is to have a media created where access to copy a CD/DVD is almost or completely impossible. Young people who often download illegally would really learn to appreciate what others do for a living by purchasing rather than stealing."

Simon "Big Tune" Benjamin would in every case respect the law. Being an Audio Engineer and living a religious life as a Christian, it is his belief not to steal. He shows appreciation to others work by purchasing only that which is original. If only we could consider this and try to reduce the act of piracy, we could save the music industry.

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