We are not against file sharing. It has been an abuse of technology by bad actors.

These conversions are simple notionally, but there is a lot of devil in the detail.

Undoubtedly, we still have a major challenge on our hands as far too many students are still getting their music for free. The general notion is that the more logical alternatives there are for college students, the better, but we still have yet to see how a legal file-sharing service fits into the larger market.

There are so many different ways to listen to your favorite bands. Everything from digital albums and singles, subscription services like Rhapsody or Napster, Internet radio, satellite radio, music on cell phones, CDs with added content.

Stealing another person's property is theft, it's against the law and breaking the law must carry consequences or no one will think twice. Theft undermines the ability of the music companies to invest in the new bands of tomorrow and deprives labels, songwriters and musicians of their hard-earned royalties.