I was browsing several technology sites this morning and came across this article in which lead counsel to Sony BMG claimed that people who copied CDs, even for personal use, were stealing. Her logic suggested that even copying a purchased CD to a digital audio device constituted theft.

The blog that originally linked to this article had a section for comments, where many people voiced their opinion on this matter. One person pointed out that Sony's own digital audio players include a program called Sonic Stage, which allows people to copy CDs into a digital format for use on their players. Another pointed out that they also produce DVD/CD writers and blank CDs and DVDs. It's funny that they produce all the tools necessary for the "piracy" of music, while at the same time condemning it.

Counsel for Sony BMG also noted that their division has shrunk due to piracy of music. I don't think she has any direct evidence to link piracy with the drop in size. I believe that it has more to do with Sony BMG's failure to compete in a new environment. They've attempted to create their own music download service and institute their own anti-piracy measures, both of which has failed miserably.

To me, this looks to be another case of executives blaming piracy for their own failures in business. One only has to look at Apple to see a successful music download service. Maybe Sony BMG should focus more on it's business model than on signing one-hit-wonders that ultimately end up losing money for them.