The MP3 Controversy
A major news item lately has been what is called "The MP3 Controversy." It is based on the free trade of music files known as MP3s, which are small enough to be easily downloaded but have the same quality as a compact disc. Computer users are able to download these files from the internet and then "burn" them onto CDs that can be played in any regular CD player. Bands and record labels claim that internet users do not have the right to download these files unless they own the CD that the song is on. These users say that information is public domain and information is all they are trading. A program that makes this very easy to do, known as Napster, has been sued by a group of bands and record labels for trafficking in copyrighted goods that they do not have the right to make money from. Napster maintains otherwise. Their website, http://www.napster.com says: The MP3 files that you locate using Napster are not stored on Napster's servers. Napster does not, and cannot, control what content is available t
o you using the Napster browser. Napster users decide what content to make available to others using the Napster browser, and what content to download. Users are responsible for complying with all applicable federal and state laws applicable to such content, including copyright laws. They also give instructions on how to report copyright infringement, and they say that Napster "respects copyright law and expects our users to do the same," and "as a condition to your account with Napster, you agree that you will not use the Napster service to infringe the intellectual property rights of others in any way." However, almost everyone who does use Napster contradicts this immediately. Almost no one goes onto Napster to download MP3 files of unsigned bands. Some college students, using the broadband internet connections they are provided, have downloaded gigabytes of MP3s. A regular three-minute song takes up approximately two megabytes of space. This translates into these college students having upwards of
Some common words found in the essay are:
MP3 Controversy, Surprisingly Napster, Napster Napster's, Grateful Dead, , using napster, using napster browser, content available using, bands record labels, available using napster, napster client, copyright infringement, record labels, bands record, downloaded songs, songs napster, cd player, download files, onto cds,
Approximate Word count = 685
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
