While reality may or may not count for much in law, it counts for something in ethics. "The original golden vision of the Internet -- that of a wired global village -- is rapidly being replaced by a dystopia of thefts, scams and viruses" (Games, 2005, B.1).
The moral and ethical issues surrounding sharing music on the internet are obvious, with illegal sights giving content which it hasn’t obtained copyright from its artists or record labels.
Contents |
The introduction of many new technologies has also confused has also confused the ethical quandaries of file sharing. From the introduction of devices like cassette decks, cd burners to iPods, Mini disc players and Mp3 players these technologies have blurred the ethical lines for many users. On the one side of the argument users are told not to download and on the other they are told they must buy this new technology or be left behind.
In the music industry, many major companies are sending mixed messages to it’s consumers. In the case of Sony, it is through it’s products as it produces music, and the technology to rip, burn and distribute music. The confusion of ethical and moral issues not only lies in the receiver, but the producer as well.
Because illegal filesharing and peer to peer sites have been active for years without major changes, the public have showed defiance to the law in favour of the norm. And without retribution, thousands of fans are willing to put money over morality. For users who believe that the record industry is exploiting artists and fans alike. This has been described by Trench (2001) as a “quiet rebellion�? which has infected technophiles. Downloading illegal digital music may be strategically done for payback for years of manipulation.
Record companies claim that downloading music from Web sites such as Napster is unethical because the action deprives record companies and artists of fair profits and royalties, by allowing users to pirate material that has been copyrighted (Levin, 2004, p.50). It is an artists right to control where his/her/their music is distributed and played, yet the digital revolution, both through the faults of the record companies and the internet companies that there is a loop hole where filesharing occurs.
Having music without the consent which is gained from buying the music will always be un-ethical, it will also usually be cheaper for the consumer. As yet a number of individuals which have used illegal download systems have been prosecuted, yet there are still illegal systems operating on the internet, which create a bad word of legal downloading sites.
Games, L., (2005) ‘Ethical Responsibility, At Issue with Grockster, Applies to Others, Too,’ Wall Street Journal, Jun 27, 2005. p.B.1
Tench, M (2001) " Moral divide over Napster copying music via internet service seen as theft to some, ok to others" Boston Globe Feb 24 2001 Retrieved October 11 2004 from [http:/www.proquest.com]
Levin, A. Dato-on, M. Rhee, K. (2004) ‘Money for nothing and hits for free: The Ethics of downloading music from peer-to-peer web sites’, Journal of Marketing Theory and Practice, vol.12, Iss.1, pp.48-61
Music File Sharing
identity
Subcultures
Niche Music
Morals & Ethics
Disintermediation
Bronwyn Hooton 00:03, 28 Oct 2005 (EST) previous author - Elliott franks 12:23, 29 Oct 2004 (EST)
