> I know, I know, making multiple copies of music files without the creator's permission or knowledge isn't quite the same thing as borrowing a book from a library, but are the two really all *that* different?

To make it more relevant: many (dare I say most?) libraries nowadays also stock cassette tapes, CDs, videocassettes, and even DVD movies that can also be borrowed from the library for free.

Checking out a CD from the library is not much different than downloading a music file from the internet to listen to it. The point is, you RETURN it when you're done with it. If you don't, the library makes you pay for the cost of the media. (They usually make you pay more than what it was worth, but that's a whole other thread.) Similarly, if you download a music file to see if you like it, you should DELETE it when you're done with it. But unlike the library, there is generally no accountability; no penalty if you don't.

When one checks out media from the library, their accountability system only prevents members from stealing the original media. There is absolutely nothing to prevent borrowers from making personal copies of something they like before returning it. That's where the library system breaks down. The internet is just worse because there is no accountability at all.