Technology has now reached the point where software, movies and music can be copied, allowing people to acquire these items for a reduced cost or no cost at all. There are several methods of doing this depending on your sophistication with technology and the quality of content you want. Software, movie and music producers obviously feel this is piracy and make efforts to if not eliminate at least reduce their losses. They see the downloading or copying etc.of these entertainment mediums as theft the same way a TV taken from a store without paying for it would be viewed. Consider the following questions as a guide to your post: (1) Is the copying of software, movies or music as simple as wrong or right? Explain what makes it right or wrong? What makes piracy any different from other types of fraud discussed in the Module 4? For example, why do some feel it is okay to download illegal content from the Internet but wrong to sell counterfeit goods? Do you think the measures discussed in the Why Illegal downloading just became riskier for Canadians article will deter some people? (2) Is this an ethical issue? What does Bonner and O’Higgins (2010) study suggest about the issue? Why are people’s ethics different when it comes to the downloading or copying of software, movie or music? How do you feel about the issue? (3) Do you agree that this type of activity should be considered criminal? or not and why? Find one case where criminal charges were filed and comment on the penalty handed down by the courts (you’ll need to provide a citation for your case). Was the sentence appropriate or not and why? (4) Whose responsibility is it to control software, movie or music piracy? (the industry itself, the government through legislation and/or law enforcement?)
