This article discusses the ongoing problem of copyright violations pertaining to pirated music, movies, etc. via peer to peer file-sharing sites. It is estimated that as much as half of all Internet traffic involves this file sharing. Many lawmakers are brainstorming ideas to curb the illegal downloading of music and movies along with other copyright violations.
In Paris, Nicolas Sarkozy proposed taking away the Internet connections of those who had repeatedly violated these copyright laws. Citizens were overwhelmingly against this proposal, and in a pre-emptive move, the European Parliament moved to a resolution that states that Internet use is a “fundamental freedom” that could only be restricted by a court of law. Many file sharing sites are also trying to protect users by offering them services that will block their Internet addresses from being seen by those who may be trying to prosecute them.
The content owners themselves have been luckier in the courtroom, often winning suits filed against the pirates. Many of the file-sharing sites are also being shutdown or forced to relocate. Tim Kuik, the director of an antipiracy organization in Holland “says there is a paradox in the way the public views copyright online and offline. ‘If you put 200 VCRs in your garage and start making and selling copies of films, you will get a visit from the police…If you do it from a Web site, everybody says, ‘Hey, freedom of information.’’”
Question: At what point should people have their internet access denied them (if at all)?
I don't think that people should ever have their internet access denied. If people do things that they are not supposed to do on the internet, they can pay fines or go to jail just like if they were to break any other law.
ReplyDeleteI think it would be impossible to deny internet access. Especially with wifi, they will find a way to hack onto a computer.
ReplyDeleteRachel
I don't think internet access should be denied for repeated offenders. If they are known as repeated offenders of piracy they should be very closely watched and regulated. After getting so much money in fines, they should get the idea that people know what they are doing. The internet can be used for such good things, that opportunity shouldn't be taken away from anybody.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that internet access should be denied or even could be denied. If a person wants to get on a computer they will find a way. I believe if a person wants to keep repeating the same dumb decision then they can just pay the fines and maybe eventually they will realize they need to stop.
ReplyDeleteIf the people who are pirating material are getting caught over and over, then maybe they should get their internet access denied. Everyone likes some free stuff now and then, but these people who are getting caught must be doing a huge amount of illegal downloading.
ReplyDeleteI think internet access should be removed. Piracy is illegal, and that is a fitting punishment, maybe for a second offense, but one would rather have the internet taken away as opposed to paying hundreds of thousands of fines.
ReplyDeleteNever.
ReplyDeleteIf you take it away, they will find other ways to get back onto the internet.
While there are issues (as the above stated), there are more pros than cons that come off of being able to use and access the internet. Examples of this are being able to research and learn about different places in the world, social networking with peers and family members, etc, etc.
Denying people the use of the internet takes away their chances to stay up to par with the digital world thus creating a digital divide at some stage.
*See digital divide blog for more information
Denying people access to the internet will be impossible. Again... there is no real answer to the pirating problem because either way someone is going to be upset. Maybe law makers should be targeting the people who initially begin the pirating instead of the people viewing or hearing it. Although both parties are wrong in the pirating if you start at the source it can help to eliminate that actual pirating.
ReplyDeleteLaws broken using the internet should be punished in other ways, not by denying internet access. Denying internet access would be hard to enforce. Also, the internet is used for other things besides downloading. It is a tool for communication that nobody should be blocked from.
ReplyDeleteI dont know if someone should be denied internet access for repeat offense but when i tried to think of a reason why not i couldn't come up with one. It makes sense. However Id rather target the sites that allow free downloading to happen.
ReplyDeleteI hope that someday someone figures out how to stop pracy on line. Not only will it help prevent stealing music and movies but I'm sure it could help protect peoples personal information. Stealing is stealing no matter wich venue someone chooses to do it from.
ReplyDeleteIf people are pirating, in other words, stealing, then they should be punished somehow. If their internet access is not taken away then perhaps fines would help deter them. However, this is the current way of dealing with the problem and it seems like it is not a great deterrent.
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is right to deny Internet access to anyone, but if people are doing something illegal then they should definitely be punished.
ReplyDelete