Tuesday, April 14, 2009
File Sharing and Piracy
While researching for my page on file sharing and piracy, Ive started a debate within myself. The point of the web site I was creating was to influence the user who would be viewing my page. But instead of caught myself arguing my own thoughts and opinions. With each and every article I read, I would go back and forth. One moment I was anti file sharing and all for the rights of artists and performers. Then I would read some more, and want to fight against the corporations for the attempts at constricting the internet because it doesn't fit their own agenda. Then it came to me. Everything involved in this conflict (and with many others as well) depends on your own agenda. Everyone has something to gain or something to lose, and depends on your perspective as to which side you would take. Is file sharing stealing? Sometimes. Is it wrong? Sometimes. Are all forms of file sharing piracy? No. So in all the time I have spent researching articles, and reading other people's facts and opinions I have finally come to the conclusion that I have no real side to take. In some aspects I agree, while in other aspects I disagree. It doesn't seem to be a topic where a lot of people straddle that fence, but I think believe it takes a mentally stronger person to realize this and take their stand.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
It boils down to the owner's rights and what you agreed to when you licensed the right to listen, watch, or use the file in question. When you chose to purchase the license you entered into a contract. You made a legally binding agreement. So the question now becomes a matter of ethics. Do you lie by entering into contracts you don't intend on abiding by? Do you steal by illegally using the creations of another?
ReplyDeleteI believe that corporations and artists price themselves out of certain markets and make themselves targets; however, no one said you had to use their products or listen to their music. There are many cheaper or free alternatives. If you need something, why don't you research the affordable alternatives? I certainly couldn't just go and drive off with a new BMW because I wanted it and couldn't afford to purchase it.
I'm curious if you will feel more passionate one way or the other when someone steals your intellectual property without compensating you for it? Our character is determined by what we do,when no one else knows we are doing it.
BTW, I know you are not unique in having mixed emotions on this subject and each person will have their own set of standards. This was not meant to attack you or anyone else personally, but to merely state a personal, and perhaps legal, opinion.
http://designingsuccess.blogspot.com
thats just it though. I'm not in that situation. But if I were I'm sure I'd side with the artists point of view on this issue. But if its being used in a positive manner, that isn't costing me money, I would like to believe I'd be completely okay.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point of view Ryan, I can appreciate the work of the artist, but am torn between which side I would choose. Music artist create songs for others while we create art. I would hope that someone would not try to violate copyright laws and steal my work...so is that really any different than someone stealing songs off the internet? Where do we draw the line. The only thing music artist have to their advantage, is that illegal downloading of music can be traced to a specific IP address, and that person punished. However, we are less fortunate, I believe, because I am unaware of any ways to track down copyright violators.
ReplyDelete