[ED!]

The thing about cassettes is that the RIAA realized that they cant track things like recordning music off the radio, or making tapes for your friends. With the internet - there is a tracking method. And theres no way the RIAA is backing down now, because now they can find out who you are.

This I believe id the definitive difference. Control.

And stryer isnt even arguing the merits or not of downloading music. Simply what his ISP should be doing. As if catering to a teen is better than keeping your ability to provide a service.