The reproduction or distribution of 10 or more copies of 1 or more copyrighted works which have a total retail value of $2,500 or more constitutes a felony, with a maximum sentence of three years imprisonment and a fine of $250,000. If a file sharer were to be convicted on a felony count this is the maximum charge the felon would face. This is according to the No Electronic Theft Act also known as "NET." Copyright laws were written long before electronic file-sharing was introduced to the media world. Naturally with changing ideals and technology laws have the ability to be amended and new ones created to protect the parties involved. File sharing has become increasingly popular since the introduction of Napster, which 40 million took part. What is file sharing you may be asking yourself, if you don't already know. File sharing is the use to software which enables users of the same software to retrieve files from your computer that you have placed in a "share" folder. Music seems to be at the center of this file sharing frenzy but however it is not limited to music. File Sharing has spilled over into movies, programs, pictures, etc. For this essay I will concentrate solely on music and how file sharing is illegal according to copyright laws that have been amended to protect digital music, which is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. However, we first need to establish a few things before we move on to how file sharing is an illegal act.
To get a better understanding of how file sharing is illegal we need to understand what exactly a copyright is. Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the 1976 Copyright Act generally gives the owner of the copyright the exclusive right to do and to authorize others to do the following: reproduce the work in copies or phonerecords, produce derivative works based upon the work, distribute copies or phonerecords, and perform the work publicly.
How can two hundred million people worldwide be wrong? Fifty million Americans are illegally file-sharing billions of songs on the Internet daily. ... When people share, more music is sold. ... File-sharing should be accepted as a promotional tool. ... In conclusion, the RIAA should not be suing file-sharers but rather embrace the new technology we have and use it to their advantage. ...
A music industry trade organization, the International Freedom of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), showed that more and more people are switching from free, illegal file swapping to online music stores. ... European, Canadian, and Asian music executives have been also irritated by the large sum of people swapping files for free so they will follow the U.S. The industry was built because free file-sharing networks have been slowing down the music sales for three years. ... Free music file-swapping is wrong for copyrighted but I believe music albums are outrageously priced. ... This debate seem...
There's something very wrong with this. ... Although file-sharing programs have allowed users to freely distribute illegal copies of software it is not entirely their fault. ... In the article it explains how universities restrict ways in dealing with file-sharing programs such as using bandwidth management tools to block or restrict file swapping. This is a bad way to prevent users from file-sharing because bandwidth management programs can only do so much. Not saying they don't restrict users from file-sharing, they do, but to say it isn't the best answer to piracy. ...
Illegal Downloading In the past ten years Internet music sharing has become a huge issue in the recording industry. ... Many people do not even realize what they are doing is wrong. ... With file sharing songs are reaching millions, if not billions of potential consumers. ... The recording industry is frenzied by the popularity of file sharing. ... File sharing has been around for many, many years, and though the Big Whigs will continue to eliminate it, it will remain for countless more. ...
In recent months the R.I.A.A. or Record Industry Association of America has announced the filing of lawsuits directed towards individuals who have engaged in file sharing on the Internet. ... Many believe it is wrong to share music, movies, and software using programs on the Internet because it can be looked at as stealing copywritten material. ... Others argue that these things should be allowed to be shared and it is wrong to prosecute people for doing so. Although neither opinion can be justified as right, this type of file sharing is now labeled illegal and continuing sharing of songs and ...
Countless individuals believe that file sharing and online piracy is completely and utterly wrong and unethical which acknowledges being no disparate than thieving and therefore should be illegal in Australia. ... In todays society, online piracy and file sharing has inevitably blown out into newer proportions. ... Consequently, is the distribution of sharing files furthermore illegal and not allowed or is it to be considered an offence of theft? ... Many Australian citizens strongly have the opinion that file sharing should be free and available to all. ... File sharing and online piracy of...
As a result, an average iPod contains $800 worth of pirated music. 70% of online users find nothing wrong in online piracy (go-gulf.com). ... With the rapid rise of the internet and worldwide sharing of files in the 20th and 21st century, the rise of torrenting and online piracy also greatly peaked. One of the first major file sharing websites that began it all in the late 20th century was Napster. ... In July of 2001, Napster was forced to completely stop the sharing of illegally downloaded music without its users paying for it (cracked.com). ... With advances in technology and media sharing...
There's something very wrong with this. ... Although file-sharing programs have allowed users to freely distribute illegal copies of software it is not entirely their fault. ... In the article it explains how universities restrict ways in dealing with file-sharing programs such as using bandwidth management tools to block or restrict file swapping. This is a bad way to prevent users from file-sharing because bandwidth management programs can only do so much. Not saying they don't restrict users from file-sharing, they do, but to say it isn't the best answer to piracy. ...
The suit claimed that Jordan, in devising a program called "ChewPlastic.com", had used the college's network to illegally swap MP3 files. The suit was ultimately settled out of court, with the RIAA agreeing that Jordan had done nothing wrong, and Jordan paying $12,000 (his life savings) to the RIAA. ... Rumors abound of software designed to infect a computer that has been used to download illegal MP3 files. ... He expressed his feelings during a discussion on methods of frustrating computer users who illegally exchange music files over the I...
