Preventing the Distribution and Downloading of Copyrighted Material - Essay Example

Lecturer: Module: Due Internet Piracy - Preventing the Distribution and Downloading of Copyrighted Material In the contemporary world, the concept of internet piracy which is in other words known as file sharing has become widely discussed in relation to copyrighted information/material. This topic has generated controversial discussions globally. Many people may view it as being risk-free although its impacts are detrimental to companies mainly in the entertainment sector. File sharing has negative economic impacts. Recent studies reveal that the entertainment industry that is film, software, video game and record companies suffers huge losses annually owing to internet piracy. Internet piracy is considered unethical and is said to be no different from stealing. Information should not be free and sharing of copyrighted material is illegal as stipulated in rules and regulations regarding freedom of information. Basing on the ethical argument and the negative economic repercussions of internet piracy, companies and all other entities handling copyrighted information should put in place measures to prevent the distribution and downloading of copyrighted material. Copyright A copyright generally refers to a collection of rights granted by an authority to an innovator of an original piece of work for a specific period of time and in return their work will be disclosed to the general public inclusive of the right to duplicate or adapt their work of art. Usually copyright owners do not have to be registered. They have the absolute right to control copying and other manipulation of their piece of art for a limited duration after which the particular piece of work goes into the public domain. Copyright owners are however getting themselves in trouble in the modern world because of the beast that has been manifested through internet piracy (Sheri 68). The essay discusses some of the methods that can be used by companies to protect data against internet piracy. Copy protect This is among the most commonly used methods by film, music, video game and software companies. Copy protect is an exceptional application that majorly prevents illegal distribution (New Softwares. net, Inc). It is distinct data copy protection software that inhibits the replication of information i.e. copyrighted CDs/DVDs. It can be described simply as a technology that prevents duplication and sharing of copyrighted material. It is important to protect pictures, documents, videos, software, story scripts, designs and audios as they can be easily shared. It has been noted that companies that use copy protection to make higher profits. Although implementation of the copy protection is expensive, it is countered by increased profits which are gained by preventing piracy of copyrighted files. This application has strong copy protection for documents, videos, audios, software, video games and information. Additionally, they are user-friendly with navigate user interface that does not require added programming skills. Companies can safely distribute their songs, software, films, video games and graphical designs using distribution media such as CDs, DVDs, Blu- ray disc and many others (New Softwares. net, Inc.). This application has been modified to fit the needs of different customers. It also eliminates the need to set up the application on the other end that opens the copy protected documents. Finally, the application prevents internet piracy, file sharing and illegal distribution. A joint venture that seeks to prevent the illegal download of copyrighted material: Two global companies: ContentX Technologies and Cybermesh International Corp. have worked hand in hand to help companies deal with the problem of illegal downloading of copyrighted materials (Bokdawalla). ContentX deals in internet security, monetization and security applications that will be valuable in venture. On the other hand, Cybermesh International Corp. develops technologies that are used in the online distribution in the media, entertainment and telecommunication industries (Bokdawalla). The companies will develop license software that is intended to bring back royalties for downloads of copyrighted material on the internet in addition to internet security, social media and online marketing. ContextX has developed a version that will disclose users that download copyrighted content illegally and change them to paying customers (Bokdawalla). The software will spot illegal users and notify them of illegal use and provide them with a system of making payments on behalf of the copyright owners at no damages to either of the parties. If the implementation of the joint venture is put into action, this would mean an end to illegal downloading and more profits to the entertainment industry. The Internet Providers should join in a major copyright crackdown: The major Internet Service Providers (ISPs) have launched copyright alert systems campaign to fight against internet piracy. Warner Cable Inc., AT&T Inc., Cablevision Systems Corp., Verizon Communications Inc. and Comcast Corp. are some of the major ISPs which will give strong warnings to illegal internet users downloading copyrighted content (Brewer). The ISPs will proceed to issue heavy penalties on them including cutting off internet connectivity. The system will be applied globally and will be a sequence of six warnings. This method is regarded as being more reasonable and effective and an easier option to criminal prosecution. The ISP will send several warnings inclusive of material that will enlighten the internet user founded on reports from the media companies of supposed violation by the particular users of copyrights. As they increase, the alerts increase in austerity finally ending in whatever punishments the ISP considers appropriate (Brewer). Although the dealings are yet to be specified, it is assumed that the penalty will be the internet user being blocked or slowed down from using the internet. The ISPs are working in partnership with the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), National Cable Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) all being the representative giants in the entertainment industry. The fast rate at which the media industry is partaking in mergers and acquisitions has made it hard to trace the limitless assets controlled by the few heads of companies at the top of the hierarchy. In addition to that, most ISPs are owned by the same people who control almost all creative material (Brewer). The internet has been considered a major threat to the property of great copyright holders of both movie and music businesses. They therefore recurrently looked for lawful methods of holding ISPs accountable for imposing their copyrights (Brewer). However, the position held was that the ISPs can not be held answerable for anything that their clients download or upload on the internet. Digital rights protection: Among the many different types of copy protection, digital rights protection is highly recommended as explained by Sheri (69). The term loosely refers to any kind of technology that hinders use of digital matter that is not wanted by the provider of this content. Major companies for example Microsoft, Sony, BBC, Apple Inc and Amazon are among the many that utilize digital rights management. Like all other methods of copy protection the use of digital rights management is contentious. Some claim that DRM is essential to combat spread of computer viruses as well as copyright infringement through the use of the internet. Not only that but DRM has also come in handy in ensuring that the holder of the copyright maintains a certain level of artistic control and to guarantee continued profits (Sheri, 65). They insist that just like the way a door has to have a lock, digital devices too must have digital locks to avoid theft of intellectual property. Those against DRM claim that there is absolutely no evidence to support the argument that DRM helps viruses and/or copyright infringement. The say that in contrast DRM only stiles competition and inhibits innovation and creativity. Conclusion The debate on internet piracy surges on. Although some may view it as a way of stealing other’s creative content, others view it as a way of spreading information faster throughout the world via the internet. To date, copyright law is frequently reviewed so as to protect the owners of intellectual property. The internet has opened the world to many new things and has come with its disadvantages too, internet piracy being one of them. What is however quite clear from the research in this paper is that the big entertainment companies wish to hear nothing of it since they want to amass more wealth at the expense of smaller companies. Works Cited Bokdawalla, Neville. A Joint Venture That Aims to Prevent Illegal Downloads of Copyrighted Material. 24 Jun. 2011. Web. 1 Sept. 2011. Brewer, James. “US Internet Service Providers Join Big Media in Copyright Crackdown.” World Socialist Web Site. 13 Jul. 2011.Web. 1 Sept. 2011. New Softwares. net, Inc. Copy Protect - Outstanding Features. 9 Sept. 2011. Web. 1 Sept. 2011. Sheri, Mabry, G. Downloading Copyrighted Stuff from the Internet: Stealing or Fair Use? 65- 90. 2005. Print. Read More