Digital piracy rife

Digital piracy rife

http://www.bbc.co.uk/6music/news/20051220_download.shtml

by Julie Cullen

more than half still download illegally20 Dec 05 - The music Industry's still failing to crackdown on illegal downloads.A new survey's found three quarters of those asked said they'd downloaded tracks without paying. And many are confused about what's legal and what isn't.Despite a hardline record industry campaign to stamp out digital piracy, the figures show just one in six said they exclusively use paid-for services to buy music on the internet.But Matt Philips from the British Phonographic Industry maintains progress is being made: "Download services would be far more popular if we gave all the music away for free, he said. "But of course we wouldn't have a business then - it's important that you charge for the product and that money can be re-invested in discovering new talent." The survey, conducted by Mori for AOL UK, also found confusion amongst consumers over whether they were breaking copyright laws by using illegal sites. Only four in 10 said that they understood the law.The British Phonographic Industry had a hardline campaging against those who illegally share music over the web. It's taken legal action against more than 150 internet users, half of them paid settlements of up to £6,500 to avoid court action.The fastest selling download to date is Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band performed by Paul McCartney and U2 at Live8 in July.

My View

After reading this article, I cannot help but feel a little guilty as I had downloaded music illegally before. However, that was because it was not that big an issue a few years back and i was not aware of its consequences. Now, after reading many newspaper articles about people downloading music illegally online and getting fined or even jailed for doing so. I stopped downloading immedietely because i was afraid of getting into trouble with the law and turned towards buying of original music. I must say it is definitely more troublesome and expensive but there are no other alternatives.

From the article, it mentioned that most people are confused about what's legal and what is not. It can either be a genuine excuse or another lie to cover up their guilt. Despite efforts by record companies to stamp out music piracy it is still not enough. Many people do not see the point of paying so much for music tracks when they can download them online for free like what other people are doing. After all, they may not get caught and adopt the mentality that since the majority are downloading music, then why shouldn't they? Why must they be so special and waste money and quality of music tracks downloaded illegally are as good a those from an album. To be honest, many of my friends are also guilty of downloading music illegally. Like what Matt Philips from the British Phonographic Industry had said if music were to be given away for free, then there would be no business, no business means no revenue which can be used to discover new talents. Bands and Artistes would also be out of job as they have no money to make more more music and have to find other jobs. Many people have not yet imagined the day when their favourite singers or bands stop making music simply because people like them do not pay for music and in so doing not honouring intellectual properties.

I remember this advertisement which show a band in a run-down garage trying to make music and their reason for doing so was because people are downlading msic illegally and bands have no money to continue to make music. This advertisement left a huge impact on me and it changed my mentality that downloading music for free should be legalised. Many people would say even if they stop downloading illegally it would not make a difference as there are many people out there downloading illegally but if everyone is to think that way then no one would stop downloading. Imagine yourself in the shoes of the singers and people who call themselves your fans do not even pay for your efforts and show support for your music. Playing a role in helping to stop music piracy does not always have to be a big and important one. Playing a small but efficient role is important.

Sure music is not cheap to buy and the cost accumulates. To further campaign to fight music piracy, government should organise carnivals which can serve to educate people who claim not to be sure about copyright laws on what is music piracy. I feel that governments can also shut down music sharing websites to further prevent illegal downlaods. We must respect intellectual properties even if it means having to pay for them. If i can stop downloading, then i am sure others can do it too.