The biggest crime issue today is not robbing or murdering. It’s downloading. The investigation of piracy is a big subject nowadays and a solution seems to be far away.
The documentary ”Good copy, bad copy” made me think whether it’s right or wrong to share files. Basically everybody have downloaded something. Even though it’s illegal nowadays in Sweden, people continues to do it. Getting a free product instead of paying for it is very tempting.
I think downloading can be compared with shoplifting. If you steal a shirt, that’s the same thing as stealing a song or album from an artist. Both have worked on the product. Both deserve and want to be paid. People often think shoplifting is a bigger crime than downloading. I think it’s the same thing.
An example from the documentary is when the producer “Techno Brega” explains his way of making music. He downloads an already famous song and remixes it. In other words, he steals a song to make own money out of it. He also claims that CD isn’t a good business and that might be true. Artists can make money in other ways for sure. For example play shows and have their songs played on the radio but I’m sure they rather want to be payed for the hard work behind the CD then the shows. In basically every cases they want to get paid for both. For example, which teacher want to just get paid for holding lectures? They want to be paid for correcting the examinations too.
Even though I compare piracy with shoplifting, there’s a few positive things about it. The music spreads easier and to be honest, no one affords buying all the music they want to hear. Another good reason to download is to see if the album or movie is worth paying for. If it is, buy it. Both parts win, the maker gets paid och you get a great movie to watch or an album to listening to.
Lastly, the main reason to buy albums and movies instead of download it, is that the producers of the product can continue to make great albums and movies. Without consumers the quality will reduce and the music- and movie makers might not afford to produce records and films in the future.
