Should the US Congress remove copyright restrictions on digital media, giving users free access to downloading and sharing digital content?
Hundreds of millions of people share digital content illegally through the Internet on a daily basis. The laws against online piracy can, to some, seem vague and easy to misunderstand, but do the laws have any effect in today’s society? In my research paper I will address the different technologies used in the different industries to prevent online piracy and the pros and cons of eliminating the laws regarding copyright infringements. My contention is that the majority of those who propose to legalize file-sharing have not thought through all of the consequences that might develop. The same applies for those individuals who want to ban everything associated with online sharing of media content.
In the twenty-first century sharing digital content has become a vital part of sharing culture and interests through music and films. Sharing digital content is good for the whole community, but contradicts with the old income model of customers paying for movies, music and media content in general. Unfortunately the film and music industry has gone to war against their own customers instead of embracing this new technology and exploiting the opportunities offered by developing technology. In today’s society we need solutions that both will generate enough income to pay for the production of culture and allow for the free sharing of it.
Surprisingly, many people think of sharing digital content as a matter of what is right and wrong according to current legislations. Unauthorized file sharing, as the law is today, is almost always illegal. Many seem to think that the problem would have been solved if these pirates had only followed the laws and would possess a higher degree of moral standing. What they do not consider is the fact that there are many valid reasons as to why the law no longer has authority, which I will address later on.
Everyone can agree that the Internet is the future for the distribution of films, music and other digital content. There is no doubt that the movie and music industry requires a constant flow of money to keep producing good movies and music. The most important distinction is between those who want to transfer the older models of generating revenue over to the Internet and those who understand that a market economy with a unit price and retail sales does not work online and cannot do so either.
What distinguishes the Internet from the ordinary world is what separates a digital copy from a physical copy. The physical copy is always available in a limited quantity. The cost of every physical copy of a CD takes into account the plastic, time, and labor to produce it and when someone has purchased the CD no one else can buy that exact copy. Physical copies are only available in a limited number which is why it is logical to have a market economy with a unit price. This idea can be showcased by the fact that for every digital copy produced, the unit price is zero.
Surprisingly, many people think of sharing digital content as a matter of what is right and wrong according to current legislations. Unauthorized file sharing, as the law is today, is almost always illegal. Many seem to think that the problem would have been solved if these pirates had only followed the laws and would possess a higher degree of moral standing. What they do not consider is the fact that there are many valid reasons as to why the law no longer has authority, which I will address later on.
Everyone can agree that the Internet is the future for the distribution of films, music and other digital content. There is no doubt that the movie and music industry requires a constant flow of money to keep producing good movies and music. The most important distinction is between those who want to transfer the older models of generating revenue over to the Internet and those who understand that a market economy with a unit price and retail sales does not work online and cannot do so either.
What distinguishes the Internet from the ordinary world is what separates a digital copy from a physical copy. The physical copy is always available in a limited quantity. The cost of every physical copy of a CD takes into account the plastic, time, and labor to produce it and when someone has purchased the CD no one else can buy that exact copy. Physical copies are only available in a limited number which is why it is logical to have a market economy with a unit price. This idea can be showcased by the fact that for every digital copy produced, the unit price is zero.