University students are very often at the forefront of the new technology emerging in our high-tech world. That is certainly the case in terms of digital music files, most notably the MP3 format, and the extremely accessible nature of its distribution channels such as the popular forum Napster.
But often students who obtain their favorite music in this format do so in a manner that is illegal, which amounts to theft from the very artists that are being enjoyed by listeners. While many large entertainment corporations are currently working to construct methods of controlling digital distribution in a way that ensures payment for the music, the copyright laws should be enforced to protect the artists and those companies who distribute their work.
The legal troubles for Napster — along with Yale University, Indiana University and the University of California — came on April 13 when a group of musicians led by Metallica filed a law suit claiming that the Internet forum constructed for trading MP3s promoted piracy through the free service where music is traded at no cost.
There can be real consequences to such behavior, should the piracy become too rampant. If the predominant form of obtaining music files becomes a system of open forums such as Napster, artists will no longer have any economic viability — let alone motivation — to continue the arduous and difficult process of producing music.
It is completely understandable that artists would be angered at losing money for their hard work. Their long hours recording in the studio, writing and producing all cost a great deal of money and are a significant investment they can currently only recoup through the profitable sale of their material.
The basic moral is by no means new. Thievery is wrong and should be punished whenever possible. Our society maintains its peaceful structure by following and holding dear certain behavior guidelines, and the prohibition of theft has long been one of the pre-eminent forms of such social rules. And it is only through prosecution that laws can keep their power to do their designed task.
For obvious motivations, large companies are working to find safer,
more profitable formats of distribution. This will make theft less accessible, in theory, and will continue the economic viability of music production. Sony already has a site that directs users to sites where they can find songs in several formats, listing songs as either purchasable or free on the various sites. By using services such as that offered by Sony and others, users can find their favorite music and keep their consciences clean.
The industry reaction every time a new format has offered consumers more freedom has been to panic excessively, though this time the Internet and Napster could prove to be a real problem that deserves all the attention they’re currently receiving. The Internet has proved to be a real revolution in communications and could pose a new threat to the old style of music distribution.
The legal and monetary rights of artists such as Metallica and rapper Dr. Dre, who has also threatened legal action, should be protected while the music industry slowly catches up to current technology, ensuring that all college students enjoy continued releases from their favorite artists.