The point you fail to realize is that while Prince has always been at the forefront of the war to cut out the middle man and putting music directly into the hands of the buying public, he has also advocated that the ARTIST should be the one to control it and profit from it.

Thus….if he maintains an offiicial website, or if he releases a CD or video via that website, he is in control. When he performs in concert, he owns the broadcast rights.

So when you take his music, likeness, works, etc., and create your own website or share music or burn bootlegs or otherwise illegally profit from his work, he’s not gaining anything from it and he has every right from both a legal and justified position.

Do you think Wal Mart would give you a big hug if you stole a case of Sam’s Choice Sodas and gave them to a group of concert go-ers? Sure, it would be free advertisement for the brand…but you committed a theft.

The issue isn’t Prince turning a pissy streak on his fans. It’s a matter of not being taken advantage of, whether it be the record company, the promoter, the marketing director, or the self-crowned cool person who decides to share unauthorized material with the masses.