Copyright Infringment. Above and beyond.

I would like to extend my thanks towards Mrs. Diane Graves, who took time to offer the class important information about copyright infringement. There were many topics she discussed on Tuesday that I felt were interesting. However, I was most curious about the file-sharing and illegal downloading aspect of her lecture. I’m sure we are all well aware of how rampant such methods have gown throughout the years. With technological advancements expanding rapidly in this country, it is hard not having at least heard about illegal downloading and copyright infringement. Therefore, I would like to narrow the topic particularly to how file-sharing actually works.

During her lecture, Mrs. Graves discussed the several methods of sharing music and videos on the internet. One of the methods she mentioned was BitTorrent. Programs, such as Limewire, allow sharing that can be easily detectable by the RIAA (Recording Industry Assn. of American), MPAA (Motion Picture Association of America), and ESA (Entertainment Software Association. However, BitTorrent actually searches the internet for copies of the requested file and reconfigures the bits and pieces it takes from these copies. Thus, it is harder to detect any violation of copyright laws.

Many students would be tempted to illegally download music and violate copyright laws, and the reasons are obvious. It’s free, and money doesn’t fall from trees. But what I like to point out is not only why some people download but also why people make such programs like Limewire and BitTorrent to start. Granted, the idea behind BitTorrent is ingenious, and the reasons for designing these programs are the same reasons why people illegally download. After all, people will constantly try to bypass the rules in order to save a little. However, it is personally mind-boggling to think of the extent these program makers would go through just to create such software. To save money, they sacrifice time that could have been better invested in something more law abiding and beneficial.Perhaps the creators would think otherwise, but it's a situation that I don't believe one can win in.

Copyright infringement and violation continues to exist on the internet, and it is inevitable that, despite the pursuance to stop illegal downloading, more people will find loopholes above and beyond the loopholes that have existed before them. With an already massive population that is still growing, it is unimaginable the extent people will go through for free music and videos.