Mp3 Piracy
In this digital world, the idea of obtaining any materialistic pleasures with
a computer is simply amazing to me. It initiates an already growing problem with
scarcity and unlimited wants. The fact that everyone with a computer could have
free music all the time is quite appealing? Of course, as with anything else,
there are limits to what enjoyment we can have by suggesting that we are being
morally judged. This seems to be the hidden question behind all the other
piracy-related jargon. MP3 piracy and the moral fibers that bind us together are
changing our lives right in front of us, while technology is bringing us closer
realizing it. Those who produce intellectual property and those who benefit from
it are currently debating the implications it may have on the future of online
music. There are basically two sides to the issue. On the one hand, there are
those corporate monsters that scream copyright infringement and push with
litigation. The recording industry, for the most part, suggests that it is wrong
to copy works from others and perhaps return profits for them. This is the basic
notion that ideas have value. The primary concern for these people is the lack
of revenue from the sale of music albums in stores. They encourage legislation
for the sole purpose of protecting their own interests. They don’t agree with
web sites distributing free music files of which have copyright protection.
Moreover, the record industry is investing in new media venture, and seeking
partners, to develop online music services for its consumers. This may indeed be
the unbalancing of the arguments because they have more influence over
government decisions than do the consumers. They can advise governments on the
laws needed to protect artists and their creations. In contrast, there are those
consumer groups that feel it is a good way to promote little-known artists’
music, thus becoming the springboard for their shot at success. The same could
be said of struggling artists, as well.
Those artists that lost their appeal to
the changing of society could promote their contribution to the industry,
perhaps giving them another shot. For example, a recent Spin article stated that
30% of long-time struggling artists have gradually regained recognition as a
result of free access to their music. Therefore, listeners could sample their
music for free and decide if they have made some sort of comeback, not to
mention whether or not they are worth the inflated prices of album-length CDs.
These people, concerned with corporate price fixing, feel that listeners could
hear particular songs and not have to pay full price for an album that may have
only two or three songs that appeal to them. This is what you call
self-interest. The concern would have to be whether there is profit sharing
going on or not, such as resale of copyrighted songs. This would be the illegal
aspect of this issue. However you judge this issue, both sides, both arguments
hold water. News Summary As discussed earlier, the particular Spin article I
came across, among many others, focused on the future of the recording industry
and the subsequent effects it will have on consumer activity. The article
suggests, for all intensive purposes, that the decision to accept or reject the
issue should be based on intent rather than simply the act of downloading the
copyrighted music, as well as the distribution of the necessary devices. It
further predicts the fate of the music industry not being overrun as a result of
Internet sharing, but rather as an assisting device to promote and eventually
helping to sell the music. It suggests, for example, a possible way that the
record companies could still turn a profit such as the concept of pay-per-view.
This consists of the record companies charging a fee to web sites that have MP3
distribution software. The point that this article was trying to make was that
there would have to be a trade-off so as not to force the consumer market to
make such rash decisions like music piracy. The music industry will eventually
further itself into the age of the music single, thus providing songs
individually and allowing consumer to compile song libraries selectively.
Organizations Foremost among the primary industry groups battling MP3 sites is
the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
