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U2’s manager lashes out at Internet, ISPs, tech companies and possibly you
As much as I enjoyed “U2 3D,” U2’s manager Paul McGuinness has made some comments at MIDEM that seem, well, singularly unwise considering current music business trends away from physical product and towards downloads.
The full text of his comments can be found here.
Consumers should be aware of his views before purchasing any more U2 products.
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Comments
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By Sw
January 29, 2008 4:42 PM | Link to this
Hi Joe, I’m not certain what you’re saying. Customers should be aware that U2 doesn’t like their products distributed for free (ie “stolen”)? Paul’s comments address theft, while it seems the issue is being conflated by the article you refer to. McGuinness is not saying he has a problem with purchasing music via download, he has a problem with uncompensated distribution. Your source attacks Bono as greedy and attempts to dispel the notion that many people file-share without compensation. They don’t file-share? Of course they do. I know plenty of people who do. Just because McGuinness is trying to find solutions doesn’t make his point invalid, whether or not you agree with his solutions. I can’t see the reason why your source would choose to attack someone’s character when they express their preference for their product, especially when it has to do with theft.
By Joe Gross
January 29, 2008 7:13 PM | Link to this
Sw, you make an excellent point. I have changed the link to a more balanced story on the comments. I will try to post them in full if I can find them.
Joe
By Dave
January 30, 2008 6:53 AM | Link to this
Why stop at shutting off internet access for illegal file sharers? Why not shut off power too? After all, those computers have to run on something.
The problem with McGuinness’s comments are that they are an absurd overreaction to a legitimate problem.