Sir Paul McCartney changes stance on illegal downloads

SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY has changed his mind about illegal downloading and said he condemns the practise.

Only a few months ago he said he "doesn't mind" fans obtaining music for free and admitted he wasn't bothered if fans used illicit methods to add to their digital music collections.

He said: "It's weird for me (the concept of downloading). I'm not from that. I'm from going into a shop and buying a 45.

"We've come through vinyl, tapes and CDs - it's all the same, except people don't pay for it (now). I don't mind. It works out."

But the former Beatle has now reversed his opinion and has said he is now opposed to it because it deprives new artists of their income.

He says, "If you get on a bus you've got to pay. And I think it's fair, you should pay your ticket. The problem is you get a lot of young bands coming up and some of them aren't going to last forever.

"So if they have a massive hit that's going to pay their mortgage forever, they're going to feed the children on that and if they don't get that money, if they don't see that money, I think it's a bit of a pity."