Buying Music is a Moral Act

I found an unexpected source in recent literature about buying music as a moral act, not just an ecomomic or social one. It's in  paragraph 66 of Caritas In Veritate, the encyclical written by Pope Benedict XVI.

(If only for this reason, perhaps all musicians should consider becoming Catholics ... ^_^)

Paragraph 66 partly goes as follows (emphases mine):

Global interconnectedness has led to the emergence of a new political power, that of consumers and their associations. This is a phenomenon that needs to be further explored, as it contains positive elements to be encouraged as well as excesses to be avoided. It is good for people to realize that purchasing is always a moral — and not simply economic — act. Hence the consumer has a specific social responsibility, which goes hand-in- hand with the social responsibility of the enterprise. Consumers should be continually educated regarding their daily role, which can be exercised with respect for moral principles without diminishing the intrinsic economic rationality of the act of purchasing.

Acknowledging music copyright is everyone's responsibility. Music copyright has the same weight as a title in real estate. Trespassing this property is against the law and against the sensibilities of human nature, most especially those of the creators of music.

Implementing laws against trespassers in real estate properties are doable. When music is strictly on vinyl records, music copyright is easy to protect too. But ever since music is copied on tapes, then to discs, then to MP3s, policing music copyright is now a gargantuan task.

The nagging question would be: is it enough to legislate and regulate music copyright in today's world? can we formulate and implement laws about music copyright in the internet age wherein the power rests on the consumer with a laptop and broadband internet connection? How do you police the use of music in the age of emails, music downloads, bluetooths, CD burners, CD rippers, and the like in the homes of hundreds of millions of consumers?

Impossible. What we need these days is the heart of the music user.

I tend to believe that what the music industry is experiencing right now is some kind of a "revenge" by consumers for the overprotective way by which music copyright was handled in pre-internet days. How sweet indeed it is to find something freely in abundance when once upon a time it costs us a lot.

I also see this as an opportunity for the music industry to redefine itself, to craft new ways of promoting music and  rewarding the creators.

Most importantly, I see the phenomenon as the required opening in the eyes of the public about its moral obligation towards the creators of music. For too long such obligation rested in the hands of music producers, publishers and music administrators. For too long these institutions lobbied with Congress and law enforcers for the protection of their turfs.

Yet who, in reality, accumulated most of the money?

Technology has ripped all of the fortresses of these institutions apart.

A change in terrain is clearly in order.