http://gunshyassassin.com/news/disturbeds-draiman-talks-file-sharing/

Disturbed and disturbing singer David Draiman has taken to the Web again
to offer his thoughts on today’s hot topics. This time, he’s talking
downloading and file sharing.
We unCAPS LOCKED his post, so you wouldn’t think he’s yelling his
thoughts. Apparently, Draiman knows that CAPS means someone is virtually
screaming, but doesn’t care because he’s always typed that way.
Whatever.
“My stance on file sharing/downloading; I have always been in favor
of, that’s correct, in favor of file sharing and downloading digital
music since day 1,” says Draiman.
“I have never blamed the consumer for simply taking advantage of
something that is readily and easily available to them, and enables the
spread of great music and art to fans of it all over the globe,” he
continues.
“I have been in support of having nominal fees built into ISP
subscription rates that would have enabled everyone to file share freely
while still enabling artists to be compensated for their work. The
proceeds could then have been payed out the same way writing/publishing
royalties are, utilizing Internet monitoring systems, such as those
developed by companies like Big Champagne, for example. The fans would
get all the music they wanted for a nominal price, built into the
Internet service that they are already paying for, and the artists and
the ISPs would be able to still make it a viable busniess.


“Unfortunately, the RIAA and music industry, simply chose to persecute
the consumers, the very fans that give the artists and the labels the
ability to exist, and bit the hand that fed them. This was a mistake in
judgement, in my opinion. That is why when companies like Spotify came
into existence, I was thrilled, because it gave the consumer the ability
to have unlimited music at their fingertips, for a reasonable monthly
subscription cost. It also enabled the exchange of music through social
media as well, putting the icing on the proverbial cake.
“Make no mistake, however, that the culture that has been bred over
the course of the last 10+ years of simply thinking that all music
should be available for free is wrong, and immoral; plain and simple.
This mentality has created an environment where it is more and more
difficult for artists, particularly up-and-coming ones, to survive and
sustain themselves.
“People wonder why fewer and fewer acts come out these days and are
able to last. The status quo that exists is a huge factor in that. The
creation of the ’360 deal,’ where labels now insist on taking a piece of
everything new artists do, is a direct result of that. People’s love of
music is stronger than it ever has been, and the Internet has been an
amazing tool, enabling artists to extend their respective reaches
farther than ever before, but it has also created an environment where
pirateers and websites that profit off of the traffic (by selling
advertisements on their sites) created by offering other people’s life’s
work for free, is wrong and criminal in every sense of the word.
“People’s argument, that ‘I still buy tickets and t shirts and go to
shows’ is a valid one. All of us are eternally grateful for every fan’s
love and support, and much like test-driving a car, you should be able
to try before you buy; but be aware that now record companies are
demanding a huge chunk of that revenue (touring and merch), which used
to be an musician’s bread and butter, as a result. Again, there is a way
to sample new music for free, and many bands (including us) offer
samples of their music for free.
“We, as artists, love and appreciate our fans more than you know. We
know that we could not exist without you, but we don’t steal from you,
not in any way, not ever. Wrong is wrong, no matter what color you paint
it, or how you try to spin it.
“I am against [controversial anti-piracy bills] SOPA (Stop Online
Piracy Act) and PIPA (Protect Intellectual Property Act), because they
limit people’s freedom of expression and freedom of speech, not because
they are trying to protect the rights of artists everywhere. I truly do
hope that they re-write the legilation and get it right this time so
that the music consumer can continue to have access to the music they
love, at a reasonable cost, legally; and without censorship and
restricting peoples freedom to express themselves on the greatest arena
of free speech and expression in existence, the Internet.”