Mp3 Debate
...are the pros and cons of allowing file sharing of MP3s to be legal?
An estimated 70 million people have reportedly engaged in online file sharing, most of it illegal. Illegal downloading mostly of music and some of movies or programs, took off in the late 1990's with the file-sharing programs like Napster, Kazaa, Morpheus, Audiogalaxy, and more. Many of these programs have started charging money for downloads like Napster, have been shut down by the RIAA like Audiogalaxy, or are still downloading illegally like Kazaa. It is almost impossible though to find a new song on Kazaa to download that hasn't been tampered with to make a loud screeching sound when you play it.
Peer-to-peer file sharing on such programs such as Kazaa has reached a crossroads and has the potential to take off as an increasingly popular method of sharing information. Or it could diminish under its own controversy as the RIAA, lawyers, and politicians try to negotiate the grounds of copyright protections and the legality of certain file sharing networks.
File sharing technology is growing in creative ways that could allow an almost limitless ability to download and manipulate any kind of electronic content like music, movies, books, and programs and then redistribute it to the world. However this technology is being threatened by the recording industry and artists efforts to put a stop to illegal file-sharing networks and the people who engage in file sharing. The RIAA has started a war by suing the file-sharing programs and people. The people being sued range from teenagers to grandparents and they are being sued for ridiculous amounts of money.
PROS: Most artists' profits from CD sales are only a mere portion of their total revenue. Artists make most of their money off of concerts and merchandise. File sharing helps a lot of unknown bands become...
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