Piracy is an increasing problem.

Relation to economy.

        The effects of the increase in piracy has already been witnessed around the world. Asia is the hardest hit.  In China, 90% of the media sold is pirated.  The music industry has suffered a huge loss.  They are no longer promoting new up and coming artists because it’s not worth the money they will invest in endorsing the artist since 90% of the profits will go to piraters.  Much of our economy is based on the entertainment industry, as well as porn.  With programs such as Kazaa, we can dl any of those.  The same goes for programs.  Almost every computer program ever created can be found on kazaa, or software sharing web sites.  The continued use of piracy can result in a catastrophic bull market.  No one will need to rent movies, buy music, go to the movies, buy software, and many other things.

Opinion.

        I myself have a grip of songs, movies, shows, and programs.  I think it is a fundamental right as a human being to obtain this kind of media.  The point of media is for it to be seen.  That’s exactly what is happening.  Record companies who steal from artists and from us are complaining we’re stealing from them.  Just last year the industry was charged with price fixing.  We always hear about artists getting the short end of the stick from the labels, this is just a way to get back at them.  Then we see people like Nelly, the Dixie Chicks, Missy Elliot, and of course Ben Affleck.  They come on tv and plead for our sympathy, to stop piracy for their well being.  Let’s take a look at their cars, and what they’re wearing.  They have no right to tell the working man that they have no right to experience their art.  IF one makes art for money, they don’t deserve to be an artist.  Art is an expression that one wants the world to experience.  Legally perhaps it is wrong, but morally it is as just as walking a grandma across the street.  What needs to happen is the industry needs to accept the fact the downloading is here to stay and they can’t help that.  But what they can do is start to adapt to it.  Already there are pay sites to dl music.  Apple has created one that allows one to download a song for 99 cents each.  It has proven to be a success.  Some artists already know that mp3’s are going to be the future.  Dave Mattews has released strictly share tracks on the internet.  Bon Jovi released a song the internet and has an intro saying, listen to this song, share it, spread it all over, I don’t care.  Artists themselves have media on their computer as well.