(Author’s Full Name)
Should it be a Crime?
With the rapid growth and development in the sector of electronic media and digital data and the invention of new and improved information systems that facilitate the information needs of every internet user worldwide, combined with globalization, the trend of downloading music from the internet (often copyrighted) without bearing any cost has been one of the most serious concerns over the last decade. The opinion regarding such downloading is generally mixed; certain individuals and organizations labeling it as a “cyber crime that is punishable”, while others support such actions. This paper aims to establish whether the downloading of copyrighted music from the internet should be a crime? If so, then what are the justifications for that?
Under the definition provided by the Federal Law, a copyright is a type of protection offered by the state to the intellectual work or property of another for a limited period of time. In certain jurisdictions, a violation or a breach of a copyright agreement (or act) is considered a civil offence, while in other areas; it is classified as a criminal offence. With the introduction of several online torrents and music sharing websites, the fundamental concept of copyright has come under scrutiny, and such websites pose a serious risk to copyright infringement. .
Apart from the moral and ethical justifications surrounding this debate, there are several other considerations that need to be taken into account. Downloading copyrighted material illegally causes substantial losses to the recording industry. The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) estimates an annual loss of revenue of up to USD $ 4.2 million due to the rampart and flourishing music piracy tactics and illegal downloads. Furthermore, several litigation in terms of copyright infringement are also initiated on behalf the recording industries, the cost of which are eventually passed on to their customers in the form of high premiums and subscription charges. This also causes losses to the government and courts of law up to USD $ 8 million annually, since copyright infringement cases are complex and require the services of experienced (and costly) lawyers and judges. For all these reasons, the downloading of copyrighted material from the internet should be made illegal, unless the websites charge a minimum subscription and purchase payment from customers, which are then paid to the recording industry as a fee for purchasing and distributing their copyrighted materials. .
Works Cited
Attorney General Martha Coakely. The Official Website of the Attorney General of Massachusetts. 2014. Report. 30 September 2014.
Bown, Jessica. "Prick up your ears – you can download music online and keep it legal." 25 April 2009. The Guardian. Article. 30 September 2014.
Dachis, Adam. "How You're Breaking the Law Every Day (and What You Can Do About It)." 27 February 2012. Lifehacker. Article. 30 September 2014.
