The average CD on the market today costs about 20 dollars. Through the uses of the Internet and Mp3 sharing communities such as Napster, Scour net, File quest, and Imesh, users can build a music library for a fraction of the cost of purchasing normal CD’s from a music store. Napster is one of the front-runners in Mp3 sharing. It works by networking your computer to every other computer that is logged onto Napster. Users can search for any song and download any song that is on any computer that is log onto the network.
Abstract: This paper discusses the ethical and legal issues of online sharing of MP3 music files. The technology exists to effectively distributes music to consumers, and the recording industry is trying to stop this practice as they fear that they will lose revenue. Many artists, whose music is being shared, support the technology. By working together, on-line file-swapping companies and the recording industry could revolutionize the way music is distributed to consumers. Everyone who uses the Internet has heard of some way to swap MP3 files back and forth.
When someone searches for a particular song the list of that song comes up with all available matches, and then the person can choose the one to download. After this, the users computer then connects to the other party's computer and commences the transfer. To what extent does music sharing break the law? The real theft is taking place when people sell discs online that they have made of bootlegged songs, not when someone listens for his own enjoyment. The issues surrounding digital music — to swipe or not to swipe — are not legal or even technological so much as they are ethical.
Listeners could now listen to and purchase any song or album with the click of a button. No longer would consumers have to go to a store or a record shop to purchase music. Consumers were set free of the hassle of sifting through thousands of albums and records at the store to find the music that they want. In many ways, iTunes made purchasing music easier, but by revolutionizing the distribution of music, iTunes took away the experience and emotional aspect that comes along with buying new music. ITunes changed the cult... ... middle of paper ... ...
However, if customers want to copy music to their mp3 player, or burn songs to a CD, they music pay extra. Napster also uses Microsoft's WMA format for their DRM scheme which makes Napster incompatible with the iPod. Both Apple and Napster are United States based companies and therefore must abide by our laws. However, a Russian website called allofmp3.com offers DRM free music.... ... middle of paper ... ... technologies, but a huge potential for profit exists if they leveraged their vast amounts of data into an online music store. Smaller, independent music companies are currently reaching out to last.fm to discuss this very idea.
The New Technology of Music With the advancement of computer-based technology, music is being accessed and created in ways that were not seen only a few years ago. Whole catalogs of music are available on the Internet, some for a fee but most are free. Artists can create studio quality recordings at home with the help of digital technology and upload those songs to the Internet. As to be expected the recording industry has a severe distain for this advancement of musical technology simply for fear of it disturbing the companies year end bottom line. As much as the record business would like to have the public believe that computer-based music technology would forever ruin music, quit the opposite is true.
New programs came up recently that allow not only music to be shared but also full-length movies and many other files. These programs have become very popular and a special effort has been made to ensure they are not shut down by setting their servers overseas, where American copyright laws don’t apply. In order to be able to share files you need a computer an Internet connection and a lot of free time. ... ... middle of paper ... ...the data on your computer. You can avoid these safety hazards by not opening any files before checking them with anti-virus software and not let anybody use the file sharing application without your guidance.
So, why should hard working people who want to enjoy the harmonies of their favorite bands have to trek to a store like “Best Buy” and purchase the dingy compact discs when they could get the same content for free and from the comfort of their home? Beside it being illegal, there isn’t a strong answer. But shouldn’t the musicians, producers, actors, and everyone involved in the production, distribution, and exhibition of this content be paid for their hard work? Yes, they absolutely should, and they are. Bands are able to reach a larger audience through illegal downloads which helps the media conglomerates in the long run.
It is for this reason that many artists, record labels and other music industry stakeholders are concerned by the MP3 file format and applications like Napster that simplify the sharing of copyrighted material. According to www.news.com, the RIAA is stating that napster allows approximately sixty-four million users around the world to steal music from the artists who created it. Yes, it is true that napster allows millions of users to download songs for absolutely free; however, isn't this what the artist want from there music? Don't they want their music to be heard worldwide? Most of all, don't they want their music to be distributed for free so they don't have to pay out so much money to the record companies?
Napster originated from two simple ideas, and achieved a straight goal: combining easily a file sharing program and a music search engine for seeking and distributing music on the Internet becoming easier. Although Napster lost the trial against the Recording Industry Association of America, the music... ... middle of paper ... ...cer should look for better way to earn money. In conclusion, despite the fact that downloading music seems breaking the law, it has benefits too many people in the society. Even if the justification of copyright is primarily to protect creators’ work, it is also essential to emphasize the consumer aspect. It is more convenient for users to download music without going outside to the store for buying the original product.