Doing so violates the law, as well as YouTube's terms of service. The only case where you can legally download music from YouTube is if you have a YouTube Premium account. Let's treat this as a debate and look at the arguments for and against illegal downloads, using music recordings as the main example. Some of the arguments in favor seem to diminish the artist's role.
Artists are not seen as professionals trying to earn a living, but rather as celebrities who already have too much or as amateurs who should be grateful that we care enough about them to listen to them. The above arguments also apply to services such as NetFlix, HBO, Amazon Prime and Disney+. If you want to watch all the most popular programs, you'll have to pay for all the services, which seems excessive. I would give a point to the “pirating is OK” campaign, for this argument.
In addition, argument 8, the argument “Everyone does it”, is very attractive. While it wouldn't hold up in any kind of debate, it does make it easier for people to justify their actions. After all, if everyone is doing something, how bad can it be? Just one point regarding this distinction between fans and artists. Clearly, many of the people whose music is downloaded are essentially amateurs.
And twenty years ago they would have remained fans all their lives. They now have the opportunity, thanks to the free download, to reach millions of people without having to go through the destructive and, ultimately, fruitless process, to legitimate their work through the usual commercial intermediaries. You give somewhere an example of someone who is reaching millions but isn't being paid for it. But if you're an artist, that doesn't matter because, with proof that millions of people have downloaded your works, you'll have no problem getting a lucrative contract, thanks to the free download system.
If this is the only piece of music they are capable of producing, then they are truly an amateur and should be thankful that they had at least that audition. Either way, it's very difficult to see how the free download can do any harm to young people who are aspiring artists or those who are transitioning from a hobby to an artist. The only ones who are harmed are those who, in fact, are practically everyone who complains: record companies, far from impoverished, and established artists, far from impoverished, who have many alternative means of earning a living rather than good. I used to buy music CDs in the 90s and 2000s.
Later, in 2004, a relative showed me that the songs can be downloaded for free. Since then, I've only been downloading and also spreading the news. I'll keep doing this forever; I don't care if it's illegal. A “garage” or non-contract band may want you to download their own music, but bands that own their own music are free to make it legally available by licensing it.
I will buy all the songs and albums that I have illegally downloaded because, deep down, I feel bad about it. Prevention is better than cure, don't assume that downloading or recording is legal just because technology makes it possible. Many of the arguments in favor of illegal downloads seem to be rationalizations that allow people to benefit (get a lot of things for free) and, at the same time, feel good about themselves. Many argue that illegally downloading music, books, movies, television series and video games should not be punished and that sharing content contributes to equality and creativity.
For the many people who actually keep their promise to support the artists they like, the winner may be “in favor”, but if we consider all the people who download things they like, but don't end up buying much of anything, the decision would have to go the other way. That product still exists and can be sold; therefore, downloading a copy of a computer file is not the same as stealing a physical product, such as a CD. The several hundred members of the RIAA, ranging from major American musical groups with global reach to artist-owned labels and small businesses, form the world's most vibrant and innovative music community, working to help artists reach their potential and connect with fans, while at the same time That Support Hundreds of Thousands of American Jobs. While some artists publish free music (as a kind of promotion or because they treat music as a hobby and don't need income), you can't expect professionals to give away their work for free.
Artists find efficient ways to directly reach their target audience and earn enough money by selling music, concerts, publishing rights, streaming music, streaming video, promoting and marketing. Although the first sales exception would apply to the purchase of a second-hand DVD, it does not apply to downloading music, since the download requires the creation of a new copy. . .
