This article talks about the copyright wars going on between the music industry and the consumer. One consumer, a man named Mark Boyle from Britain, is taking a stand and promoting the "freeconomy" movement. Mr. Boyle is going on a journey and hopes to survive by strangers he encounters along the way. These "freeconomists" believe that the world should shift from a "money-based, community-less society" to a "community-based, moneyless society." They feel that all media such as music, news, books, and others should be free for the taking with no censorship or control.
Obviously the music industry is opposed to this idea. Different producers believe that nothing in life is free for the taking. The music industry is losing money or profit becauses the internet is a place where consumers can download music for free. They are pushing for stricter penalties for those who download music for free. The blame is being put on the Internet Service Providers (ISP). Potter explains that Paul McGuinness, manager of U2, has an idea that a fee should be applied to those who download music legally. This fee will be collected by the Internet Service Providers, which in turn would be paid out to the copyright holders. As a result, the consumer has access to all media downloads and the music industry is making a profit from their songs.
I feel that McGuiness has a point with the proposal he is making to the consumer. Not only does the consumer get what they want for a small fee, but the music industry is getting paid for their hard work. It is only fair that consumers pay for their downloads, just like we pay for other items that we want and need to survive. Society should realize that things in life are not free. The artists and the recording industry deserve to be compensated for their music talents. If the tables were turned, I would want to be paid for my hard work.
For more information, you can visit these websites:
www.freepress.net/node/39026
www.cornellsun.com/node/25635
www.copyright.gov/legislation/dmca.pdf
www.it.northwestern.edu/security/illegaldownloading/index.html
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
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1 comment:
I agree with Jamie that people should not assume that music downloads should be free. Everyone is out to make money it is what makes our world go around and helps us to provide for our families and survive. I feel that if you are downloading music than you should also assume the responsibility of paying for it!
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