Music was always free. For tens of thousands of years the human race had musicians who played music for everyone. Music was art, it was never a commercial product. In the 50s it all changed. Music was enslaved when mass production of records proved a lucrative prospect. What was an expression of the heart was now the hen that laid golden eggs.

Music was like art. You could buy a copy of Rembrandt if you really wanted (and could afford it) but the original was available for everyone to admire. The excitement and fulfillment in observing the original on display is robbed from owning a copy, making the copy into a waste of money. Music is available for everyone to admire in a concert, just like on display, but the copy is worthless if you can't take part in the energy and excitement of watching the original perform his/her art.

We're deep in the process of the liberation of music, but music is still far from being free... not just of money, but also of servitude. Artists deserve more than a handsome reward for their talent and laborious efforts, but holding the art ransom isn't the way to do it. Most people want the original, and anyone who doesn't won't give anything for it anyway.

I have many possible solutions to this, and if my muse will permit it, I will elaborate. :)