Piracy is widely practiced around the world without regard to the consequences. Too many people are finding it too easy to go online and download music, videos, software and other copyrighted works.
However, the Recording Industry Association of America is cracking down to stop it.
In the music industry, copyrighted material includes everything from the lyrics or notes recorded on paper to the actual recorded performance of the song.
Though copyright laws are international, the U.S. code has specific titles, namely 17 and 18, to "protect owners from the unauthorized reproduction, adaptation or distribution of the sound recordings as well as certain digital performances to the public," according to the RIAA.
Joe Romo, a business administration major, said illegal downloading, while beneficial to the consumer, basically is stealing.
"From a consumer standpoint, it's a pretty cool thing, because you can go online and download any software from the Internet, like eDonkey or Morpheus, or anything like that, and you can find the one that has the song or the video or the software that you need and just download it for free," Romo said.
"From a business standpoint, businesses lose money, because consumers are doing all of this, and the profits are not going to them.
"They're losing profits because of this. So depending on which side you want to look at it, one's a good thing, and one's a bad thing. In a legal sense, it is considered stealing."
Piracy costs the music industry an estimated $300 million each year domestically. The RIAA is working together with authorities to find music pirates and see that they are punished.
Specifically for Internet offenders, the RIAA has a team of Internet specialists and a "24-hour automated WebCrawler," geared to shut down Internet sites that are making the files available for download.
"Based on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act's expedited provision, the RIAA sends out information subpoenas as part of an effort to track and shut down repeat offenders and to deter to those hiding behind the perceived anonymity of the Internet," according to the RIAA.
Once the offenders are recognized, legal action can be taken. Each year, hundreds of trials result in convictions of music pirates.
"The penalties differ slightly, depending upon whether the infringing activity is for commercial advantage or private financial gain," according to the RIAA.
Penalties can be as severe as five years in prison and $250,000 in fines. If an offense is repeated, the offender is looking at 10 years in prison.
"Violators can also be held civilly liable for actual damages, lost profits or statutory damages up to $150,000 per infringement as well as attorney's fees and costs," according to the RIAA Web site.
Online infringement, which is common among Internet users, is punishable by three years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
"Although RIAA vigorously pursues those intentionally breaking the law, it prefers to educate all citizens so they know what is legal and illegal," according to the RIAA.
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