why is it not 'legit' to pay for downloaded music? i do not understand why should it be free?

The question is not whether it should be free or not, the question is where they are going with our music? There have been questions whether the artist actually benefits from the current system of copyright laws. It would seem in a digital age where music is readily available in multitudes of download sites, generating the popularity and live concert sales that would offset any recording losses for the performer, but from what I understand the “copyright police” actually are only interested in perpetuating their position of coming between the musician and the listener.

I know what you mean balthazarus, I think we should have to pay for music like I used to in high school, where every Friday, I took my allowance and splurged it all (a whopping $5 a week and the envy of my friends) on an ALBUM by the Beatles or Hendrix. But if by buying on line the artists are not getting their fair share, surely the biggest ones at least have 'people' who can figure out this copyright thing and get them a goodly hunk of the cash for those of us who download for a fee.Maybe I am still naive.