Napster
NAPSTER: BREAKING THE CONSTITUTION The Napster software, which launched in 1999, allows people to share digital music files (MP3) between each other. This Internet program has sparked a historical debate about copyright law and the Internet. Copyright owners strongly believe that “sharing” these files via Napster is “stealing”(TIME). Downloading music against the wishes of an artist or producer is breaking the law. Some believe that it is not stealing or illegal. They are just making a copy of someone’s song. In the Constitution, Article 1, Section 8 it says “……promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries…..” (Constitution). This led to copyright law, which gives artists the exclusive rights to their music from the moment of its creation until, generally 70 years after the artist dies (Michigan Review). There may not be respect for the copyright law, but it is still breaking the law. According to the Michigan Review, in areas around college campuses and universities, CD sales have dropped 4%. In 2000, retail CD sales at stores near colleges with high Napster use are actually below 1997 sales (Michigan . . .
Diversity, abortion and many other trivial issues relating to a persons individual rights have been overcome. According to Newsweek magazine, more than half of the people using Napster do not feel guilty of violating the copyright law when they are downloading music off the Internet. People are robbing artists from the pennies they earn on each CD that sells. The people that use these functions on the net have a very different view of their rights, and what they think is right, than those that are in the general Internet community. In all fairness to the artist, one should make a choice. A monthly fee, sometimes based on per- minute usage or a flat fee, compensates the company for their “copyrighted” material. Also according to the Michigan Review, CD sales are up 16% across the nation. What if someone only wants one song on a $20. Many people believe that it is the same thing as recording a song off the radio. Napster should at least charge people a set fee for using it.
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