An essay I wrote for school

[mdfld_1]

Free & Legal Internet File-Sharing

I believe that the sharing of files, such as music, movies, or T.V. shows over the internet, should be completely legal and free of charge. The practice not only brings popularity to the author of the file, but also potential customers to them. Many start-up bands put their music on the internet to be downloaded, so everyone around the world can here them. Some company executives claim that programs like Kazaa and others are hurting the industry. These people even promote the prosecution of those who download copies of their respective products.
Everyday, millions of people download billions of files off of the internet. Anything from a new Ludacris track, to an .exe file for the installation of a program, is up for free download over the internet. This is good for many reasons. For one, the downloading of pretty much any type of file makes the author of it famous and popular. This means that the author will gain fans and recognition, which leads to more files produced. Also, those who are secluded from many parts of the world get to experience what is out there. They could see the world through web-cam footage, and even learn Spanish by downloading lesson videos from a classroom millions of miles away.
One could bring up the point that the author of the files could never make money if all of their work was up for free on the internet, which means that they wouldn’t produce any more. This is true, and not all of their work should be free on the internet in its fully intended form. Currently most music and video files ready to be downloaded over the internet are only about half the quality of those that you’ll listen to on CD’s or watch on T.V. If you ever go to Download.com you will find vast amounts of programs that their authors make available. Also, since most of companies like Download.com don’t charge the authors anything for putting their product on the site, many who are just getting started can get their product out to the public with minimal costs. Some of the programs are free, but most are only free-trials, which means that they have restrictions on them in various forms. This promotes growth in the industry because people want the real thing. Most people after listening to a few downloaded songs by an artist will go out and buy that artist’s next CD. Also, companies like Download.com and Kazaa make their money just like T.V. does, advertising. By selling advertisement slots, they can pay for all of their expenses, allowing them to provide their services free-of-charge.
The newest thing to hit the file-sharing industry is the introduction of a pay-per-view type service that allows users to download music for a dramatically reduced price, when compared to buying it from a store. Companies like Apple, EMusic, and Napster lead the way, and they offer legal forms of your favorite music. At real.com you can buy a monthly subscription which allows you to do anything from listen to radio stations in Japan, to watch the latest NASCAR race live. These types of services are a start, but until the companies prove to the people that their services are superior to any free one, they won’t catch on.
In conclusion, there are many positive results that have come from free internet file-sharing, while the negatives are few and far between. The industry itself is constantly growing because of all of the great services that are readily accessible by anyone seeking for them. Also, free file-sharing over the internet is the only way for many new authors and artists to get their product out to the mass-market. While the courts are still tied up in determining whether all this good should be illegal, millions everyday continue to support these services in varying ways. Whether you support the ideas presented or not, ask yourself, have you ever heard of anyone suffering as a result of free internet file-sharing?

[Malicious Intent]

I believe that the sharing of files, such as music, movies, or T.V. shows over the internet, should be completely legal and free of charge.

It is. I think you need the word "copywrite" in there.

prosecution

That is a criminal word, so far there has only been civil cases. I suppose the RIAA and co. are trying to make it a criminal offence.
If p2p promotes growth in industries, then why are sales falling?

By selling advertisement slots, they can pay for all of their expenses, allowing them to provide their services free-of-charge.

But TV gives the revenue to the producers, it isn't all kept to pay expenses.
Isn't download.com evidence against you? That shows there are perfectly good ways for authors to publish without the need for p2p.
I guess that you are writing to the equivilent of GCSE. I suppose that evidence at that stage wasn't particuly important, but it never hurts.
I see filesharing as sweet revenge for the years and years that they have been acting like a cartel to rip us and artists off. That isn't right, but damn well feels good.
Good luck with it!

[shawners]

I think filesharing could help get bands known more. A few songs i heard you mentioned months ago are now being played on the radio. IF radiostations would fileshare, more music would reach the listeners earlier to boost album sales.

[aserty]

"so everyone around the world can here them'

I think you mean,"hear."


"It is. I think you need the word "copywrite" in there.'

I think you mean,"copyright."


Anyways, nice essay, I think it was well done.

Edit: How do you qoute people?

[CTC Command]

Edit: How do you qoute people?

I think you mean, "quote."
But maybe not.

Shawners--nice avatar. LMAO!