Piracy (Music piracy copyright law)

Table of Contents

1.0 Introduction 2

2.0 The issue and the background to the debate 2

3.0 The social significance of the debate 2

4.0 The participants in the debate 2

5.0 Differing opinions 2

5.1 Controversies regarding the effect of music piracy on the music industry 2

5.1.1 Not paying the song royalties 3

5.1.2 Committing a crime without realizing 3

5.2 Complements regarding the importance of music piracy on the music industry 3

5.2.1 Access to older music no longer in print 3

5.2.2 Creates devout music fans 4 6.0 Conclusion 4 Reference list 5

1.0 Introduction

This report portrays the different views held on the consequences of music piracy on the music industry. This report will also provide the issue and the background to the debate, its social significance, and the parties involved in the issue and also the difference in opinion related to the views held.

2.0 The Issue and background to the debate

In the 1990’s as the technology of pirate CD’s developed quickly, compact disc piracy became a global problem. The term piracy is often used to describe the intentional violation of a copyright. Pirates not only trespass upon the rights of the artist involved, they also create dishonest competition at every level of the industry (Website administrator, 2009). Most of the time people in general think that music piracy is a small act and probably has no effect on the artist or the music industry, where as “Statistics found on the Recording Industry Association of America” showed that not only does piracy affect the artists, it also affects the hundreds and thousands of people who work with the music industry (Storrs, 2012; The Digital Universe, 2012).

3.0 The social significance of the debate
Stealing in general is a wrong thing to do. Placido Domingo a famous opera star and also the Chairman of the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) said in an interview