A perfect example of technology backfiring on us is expressed in the recent events involving the file-sharing network known to many as "Kazaa". As many online users know, Kazaa is a program that enables people to share their files, and in turn, download others'. In the few years it has been available, Kazaa has managed to become widely-popular; used by millions worldwide.
However, the files shared on this network are not always "free". Most music files (or MP3's) and movies are "ripped" from the source, usually a CD or DVD, and distributed out onto the net via Kazaa. I personally use Kazaa and have seen whole album compilations and movies not even released to the public yet.
The Recording Industry Association of America has taken steps to prevent this pirating of copyrighted material, and in the past, has caused the demise of predecessors such as Napster. Until now, users have taken little note of the RIAA's actions. They would shrug it off, and just hop on the latest peer-to-peer bandwagon. But recently, the RIAA has started firmly putting it's foot down and is issuing subpeona's to Internet Service Providers (ISP's) to release information about randomly chosen users infringing upon copyright laws. One case involved the ISP Verizon ordered to "disclose the identity of a P2P user who has allegedly shared hundreds of copywrited files." (Maguire).
I asked my friend what he thought about this.
"I think that it's unfair that they are picking on certain people," he said, "Why didn't they do that sooner? It's a little too late now." (Park).
Many news and opinion articles have also popped up.
".guessing that means the RIAA wants to bring a few high-profile legal actions against extremely high-volume traders, in hopes of scaring off the larger horde of P2P users." (Maguire).
As an aspiring musician, I have acknowledged the monetary aspect of the Recording Industry and how file-sharing hurts the music economy.