Why Illegal Downloading is Destroying the Market for Music and Movies

Media piracy is rampant these days.  In fact, a large percentage of teens and young adults have admitted to downloading music and movies without paying for them at least once.  While this may seem on the surface like a great way to get quality entertainment without paying, it actually serves to reduce the quality of the music and movies being produced.

When you download music and movies without paying for them, you are essentially taking money out of the pockets of writers, artists, recording studios, record companies, actors, and everyone else who works to produce the best media possible.  This means that revenues are declining sharply across the board.  The end result is that companies are less likely to spend money investing in new artists and producing high budget albums, shows, and films.  In essence, piracy is hurting the entire industry.

Illegally downloading music and movies has to stop.  Not only is it illegal, but it greatly lowers the quality that many directors, companies, and studios are capable of producing.  The budget for music and movies is based on the amount of money it is expected to bring in.  If a large number of people choose to download music and movies instead of paying for them, the budgets for them are going to be reduced.  If we want to keep enjoying top quality films and albums, the only choice is to pay for the right to enjoy them.