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Registration date: 06.15.2008
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Last 20 (legacy) comments - to import soon

• On JapanFiles.com vs LiveJournal music sharing community at 06/17/2008 11:37

  I also want to reiterate that while I understand Japanfiles.com is fully within their rights, as moderator of a sharing comm, it is also my responsibility to protect my members and mediate between the community and outside sources. I'm having to walk the fence a bit here with my own opinion, my comm's overall opinion (or at least, those users who made their opinions known to me), and Japanfiles' wishes. I think the compromise we've reached will be beneficial, and while I don't agree with everything on this issue, I appreciate the fact that they were willing to compromise in the first place! I don't think I've said that anywhere, so I wanted to say it now.

• On JapanFiles.com vs LiveJournal music sharing community at 06/17/2008 09:51

  [quote]HEARJAPAN.COM's terms of service clearly state:
  (the caps are theirs, not added by us)
  11. You shall be authorized to use the Downloads only for noncommercial, personal use. The Downloads are strictly limited to your personal use. All songs are in mp3 format and feature no copy protection technology. YOU MAY NOT UPLOAD DOWNLOADS TO THE INTERNET. PEER-2-PEER FILE SHARING IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED.[/quote]
  
  "Downloads" as in, I would say, the files specifically downloaded from HearJapan, NOT going after every upload of their artists on the list, whether from a legitimate CD rip or not. HearJapan has made it quite clear that filesharing has potential and while they do not support it, they do not chase after it like a dog in heat either.
  
  @Gaku-X, everyone has different opinions about music downloads. As someone who knows several MUSICIANS, I can say they are honestly happy when people download, because that means more people hear it and will potentially buy it. I'm not going to argue with you over the legalities of it; downloading music is illegal, end of story. But whether you actually agree with that legality, that is a matter of opinion. Everyone has a different one, mine is different from yours.
  
  Now, as mod of JMusic_Uploads, I will simply say this:
  One of the biggest issues with Japanfiles is that they have ignored the very, very giant potential filesharing has of creating a base of fans that will actually BUY FROM THEIR SITE. Without that sort of publicity, the majority of the bands they represent simply aren't ever heard of by 99.99% of the community. And at this point, never will, which is ultimately detrimental to their very profit margin. Instead of trying to harness this potential, educate people about their site, appeal to their better nature (yes, most of us DO have one, whatever the RIAA likes to think), they alienate their very potential customer base by using scare tactics when in the end, filesharing will go on. Livejournal is hardly the hub of it, just one of many, many means to get it.
  
  So, neverending battle that ultimately they will not win, and they just are continuously hurting themselves in the process. Moreover, from the getgo they went about it wrong. It took them several months to realize that it MIGHT be a good idea to, ya know, WORK with the community instead of terrorize it; before then, they basically said "we're here, we're reporting, to hell with you" which is, as I'm sure anyone can imagine, not going to make you any friends or endear anyone to your site or your cause. That was just a stupid move, I said so then, and I say so now. Thus far, Japanfiles has taken baby steps to rectify that move, but the damage has been done.
  
  As a community, JMusic_Uploads will comply with Japanfiles because ultimately we have no choice. But until they realize the extent of the potential customers they're losing with their attitude, the site is not going to live up to its potential. And when they finally realize that, it might just be too late.