In today’s digital age, music piracy is a controversial issue. Millions of people the world over are obtaining their music illegally over online file-sharing networks like The Pirate Bay and Demonoid. When the file-sharing service Napster was founded in 1999, the RIAA and the largest record labels in the world (EMI, Universal Music Group, Sony Music, BMG Music, and Warner Music Group) went on a witch hunt against music pirates, filing lawsuit after lawsuit against Napster and its users. Digital piracy is the most prevalent form of music piracy in history, but it is not the first.
In the 1990’s, the advent of the writable compact disc and the CD burner made copying music easier than ever. In the 1980’s, music industry officials were certain that home-taping with cassettes would spell the end of their business. Even further back, composers were certain that they would never turn a profit as long as orchestras were playing their music without first paying them royalties. And yet the music industry still stands. At this point in history, I believe it is time for major changes to take place in the way we acquire our music.
I intend to research the history and viewpoints on the controversial issue of music piracy. Their is a worldwide movement called the Pirate Parties International with officially recognized branches in Canada, France, the United Kingdom and many more whose aim is to reform copyright laws in favor of the consumer. I will argue that the music industry itself is the problem, not the music pirates. If music piracy does in fact destroy the music industry, then perhaps music will be changed for the better. If their is no longer a music industry, then the only people who would make music would be the ones who do it for their own fulfillment rather than for a profit.
I agree with you, the music industry has ALWAYS attempted to deter change in general. I use pirate bay,ISOhunt,BTJunkie.org, etc. The fact of the matter is, is that technology is not slowing down by any means. Just like you said, from cassettes all the way up to handheld MP3 players. The music industry will always comes up with a new proposal or legislation demonizing such devices and services. It's important for large corporations to develop ubiquitous services in order to keep the music industry alive and at the same time NOT stripping away any rights. For the record, I see nothing wrong with "illegally" downloading media from these sites. Downloading a DVD from the Internet is synonymous with me physically sharing it.
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