BY ELLIE RUGGERI

While walking through the halls of MHS, one finds students quickly shuffling around from class to class. The majority of these students have one thing in common that keeps them moving throughout the day: their iPods. 

When these students come to school with up to 10,000 songs uploaded, one can’t help but wonder how they pay for the songs. Many students download songs from illegal websites and programs, like Limewire and Strikegently. Is this wrong? Or is iTunes asking for it with such overpriced music?

The controversy over downloading illegal music is one of the hottest topics of conversation. With websites now offering “free” options from singles to full albums, they have become so popular that iTunes and Rhapsody have started fading away.

“The music industry, which includes the artist and producer, do deserve a profit, but iTunes’s $1.29 fee is outrageous,” sophomore Maila Saghir said.

Of course downloading music illegally is resourceful and convenient for the consumer, but is this practice hurting the musicians?

 The big debate is over whether or not it is fair to be downloading music illegally. Many people believe that downloading free music is wrong because there are no benefits for the artist. On the other hand, some people are unwilling to pay so much for a three-minute song, and they turn to free music downloads as a solution. Realistically, the average teenager would rather be spending his or her money on clothes and technology than songs. If there is a free option, students will generally take it.  

However, there are other ways to support musicians without paying $1.29 for a two minute song.

“I don't really think it’s wrong because I promote the band by telling my friends, or by going to shows that they play,” freshman Mel Merker said. “And I usually buy merchandise that they have at the show.”

However, a new idea has formed which puts the rest of the music industry in jeopardy: people can now download their favorite YouTube videos onto their iPods.

When asked about this, Saghir said, “This will completely ruin iTunes music store’s business.”

Others, such as sophomores Dominique Serrano and Sarah Orans, think this new possibility is a great way to watch their favorite videos.

  Whether people choose to buy songs from iTunes or download them from Limewire, artists all over the world will continue to produce songs and albums. The choice is completely up to the downloaders – iTunes or Limewire? Legal or illegal?