Is file-sharing right?

sonicflood · Jul 17, 2003

In terms of the law and probably moral stances, yes file sharing is wrong.

There are arguments which do point out some positives but i'm not sure they overcome - personally i've discovered lots of music through file sharing, which i wouldnt have done otherwise, and i have then gone on to buy cds by those artists. If you're only downloading one or two songs to see what an album's like to buy it, i don't see a problem - but downloading an entire album instead of buying it is probably kinda dodgy.

The problem is that there's no deterrent...

GJG · Jul 17, 2003

Our little church group are thinking of showing an internationally popular christian DVD. We were wondering that if we show it regularly to the public, is this going to be infringing any copyright??

Susan · Jul 17, 2003

One deterrent to illegal downloading would be for the record labels, artists, studios, whatever to place, say, one song on the CD or the first episode of the series on their website for legal downloads by people who just want to see if it's their taste.

That would prevent many of these people from going to Kazaa and downloading all of the music or all of the series "while they're there."

By the way, I'm totally against copyright infringement that does actual harm to anyone. If the copyright infringment causes one cent to be lost, it's theft.

SirKenin · Jul 17, 2003

GJG said:
Our little church group are thinking of showing an internationally popular christian DVD. We were wondering that if we show it regularly to the public, is this going to be infringing any copyright??

It can be, actually. You have to look at the copyright notice. Often times it's not legal to have public viewings of films like that. Check into it.

SquareC · Jul 17, 2003

GJG said:
Our little church group are thinking of showing an internationally popular christian DVD. We were wondering that if we show it regularly to the public, is this going to be infringing any copyright??

Generally speaking, strictly according to the law, it's not illegal as long as you are not selling the right to see it! The key is profit. I could buy or rent a DVD and invite 30 people to my home (or wherever) to watch it, it would be legal. If I charge those people even five cents a piece for the right to see it, I just broke the law. Feel free to research this further, or even call the company which produces the DVD if you would like, however. They are usually pretty good about answering questions, and may even give you specific permission to display their DVD, especially since you don't sound as if you are planning to charge admission.

Pete Harcoff · Jul 17, 2003

SquareC said:
Generally speaking, strictly according to the law, it's not illegal as long as you are not selling the right to see it!

Your assumption doesn't appear to be correct.

Examples of situations where a Movie Copyright Compliance Site License must be obtained are showings at public libraries, day-care facilities, and entertainment movies being used at schools for After School activities. This legal requirement applies:

- Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged
- Whether the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit
- Whether a federal or state agency is involved

If you are uncertain about your responsibilities under the copyright law, consult your school legal copyright representative. (emphasis mine)

http://www.movlic.com/copyschool.html

SquareC · Jul 18, 2003

Pete Harcoff said:
Your assumption doesn't appear to be correct.

Examples of situations where a Movie Copyright Compliance Site License must be obtained are showings at public libraries, day-care facilities, and entertainment movies being used at schools for After School activities. This legal requirement applies:

- Regardless of whether an admission fee is charged
- Whether the institution or organization is commercial or non-profit
- Whether a federal or state agency is involved

If you are uncertain about your responsibilities under the copyright law, consult your school legal copyright representative. (emphasis mine)

http://www.movlic.com/copyschool.html

This was the reason I said Generally, as there are exceptions! I depends on the nature of the copy, the nature of the display, and the nature and age of the original publication. I'm sorry I didn't make that clear, I'm afraid I was in a bit of a hurry. This was the reason I suggested contacting the producer of the DVD in question, which will provide specifically pertinent answers and possibly permission to display the DVD, if neccessary.

sad astronaut · Jul 18, 2003

File sharing has actually encouraged me to purchase a few CDs. It has NEVER prevented me from buying a CD. I've never thought..."well, I really want this CD, but I'm broke, so I will just download the same songs and burn my own CD." That is just me though.

Fully Cooly · Jul 18, 2003

Ah yes, Piracy...don't we all love it.

I remember the days when I would give out copies of the ms-dos game Doom.

I also remember seeing a 1980's esque Rap video about Piracy and copying.

I know its assumtions are absoulutely wrong because Piracy never really hurt the industry.

But its just here for us to laugh at.

I recommend you dont watch this if you hate really old school rap and poor poor acting.

The movie is called dont Copy that Floppy.

http://www.albinoblacksheep.com/video/floppy.php

Hahahaha! How dumb is that?!

quicksilver · Jul 18, 2003

New bill would make file swapping a felony
see the article here :
http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1105_2-1026715.html

Dyrwen · Jul 19, 2003

I've got nothing wrong with it. As is apparent, by my 18 Gb Kazaa lite folder.

Cds cost a lot of money. If I don't have any, but I want music, I'm not just going to sit back and not listen to anything while there is a way to get free music.

WitchBaby · Jul 19, 2003

I like filesharing. Filesharing from Kazaa has actually gotten me to buy bands merchandise.

paulewog · Jul 22, 2003

So in other words, convience is more important than law...?

Dyrwen · Jul 29, 2003

paulewog said:
So in other words, convience is more important than law...?

I find it silly that I cannot place music that I have received from other people out in the open. Someone did buy the music originally, I'm just borrowing it from them and not returning it. Stealing? Yes.

It's a whole lot safer than stealing from the cd store. Downloading music has allowed me to see what bands are good, and who I should buy or see in concert. Saves me a lot more money than wasting cash on cds that aren't any good.

This explains a good opinion. Caution: Language.

IslandBreeze · Jul 29, 2003

Is file sharing wrong? I think charging $20 for a CD that cost .25 to make is wrong, but that's just me...I guarantee that if record labels would lower their ridiculous prices file sharing would slow down dramatically...

JillLars · Jul 30, 2003

Dyrwen said:
I've got nothing wrong with it. As is apparent, by my 18 Gb Kazaa lite folder.

Cds cost a lot of money. If I don't have any, but I want music, I'm not just going to sit back and not listen to anything while there is a way to get free music.

I have no problem with downloading music that you plan on buying sometime, or listening to a couple times. I do have a problem with this attitude, why not just steal purses from people because there is "free money" in them.

Dyrwen · Jul 30, 2003

JillLars said:
I have no problem with downloading music that you plan on buying sometime, or listening to a couple times. I do have a problem with this attitude, why not just steal purses from people because there is "free money" in them.

Because you can be tracked down and are stealing "money" wheras I steal the product. Money is useful, but easily tracked. Products are actually for something, and in this case, I'm only stealing from the bands, who only own the content in the cds, and I'm getting it Free and safely from people who have bought their cds.

Of course, the RIAA is now "tracking down file sharers" as well, but techincally, that's a violation of privacy rights.

Unimatrix · Jul 30, 2003

Unimatrix · Jul 30, 2003

Unimatrix said:
"that's a violation of privacy rights."...not really...If you're on Kazaa and you start downloading from somebody, that person can CLEARLY see who is downloading from them and quite simply notify your ISP...However, if they went looking around your PC for stuff then that is invasion of privacy, but you're connecting to a public area, which puts a wet blanket on the privacy defense...

Unimatrix · Jul 30, 2003

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