Copyright? Hypocrite! (Napster)

Name: PaddyofNine

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Product:	Napster
Date:	27.06.01 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Saw the Net grow with me!

Disadvantages: I like computers and download mp3s: I am biased!

A LONG TIME AGO, IN A GALAXY NOT SO FAR AWAY, WHEN I WAS KNEE HIGH TO A - WELL, NEVER MIND THE NOSTALGIC ANALOGIES, THE POINT IS, I WAS YOUNG. YOUNG ENOUGH TO BE FILLED WITH WONDER AT THE RAPIDLY EXPANDING WORLD OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND INNOCENT ENOUGH TO MAINTAIN A OH-SO-NIAEVE PERSPECTIVE AS THE BUSINESS CONGLOMERATES RUSHED TO CLAIM VAST PORTIONS OF THIS NEW FRONTIER FOR THEMSELVES. AS I GREW INTO MY TEENS, THEY STARTED TO CAPATILIZE ON THE WONDER OF PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME, YOUNG AND OLD, WHO WERE BRAVE (AND WEALTHY) EN0UGH TO WONDER ON TO THIS NEW LANDSCAPE. AS THE DOT COM BLOSSOMED, SO DID I, AND NOW, AS THE NET-CULTURE SETTLES INTO ITS STRIDE, AFTER A COMFORTABLE JOG TOWARDS MATURITY, SO TO DO I RELAX AFTER A GROWTH SPURT WHICH CLOSELY MIRRORED THAT OF THE NET. IT IS NOW FAMILIAR TERRITORY, AS MANY PEOPLE, MEN AND WOMEN JUST LIKE ME, GREW UP WITH IT, AND FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH IT. IT IS SUCH PEOPLE THAT EVEN NOW TRY TO PUSH AND RE-DEFINE THE BORDERS OF THIS VIRTUAL LANDSCAPE. MANY PEOPLE, HOWEVER, RETAINED THE YOUTHFUL EXUBERANCE OF THE EARLY TEENS AND SAW THE INTERNET FOR WHAT IT IS: A VAST RESOURCE. AN LIKE ANY RESOURCE, IT CAN BE EXPLOITED. AND SO, IT HAS BEEN.

IN THE MID NINETEEN NINETIES, I WATCHED AS TABLOID HACKS AND TOP RATE JOURNALISTS ALIKE COINED NEW TERMS AND PHRASES FOR THE INTERNET AS IT GRADUALLY SHUFFLED INTO THE MEDIA LIMELIGHT. CHIEF AMONG THESE WAS COMPARING THE 'NET TO A VAST ONLINE LIBRARY, ONE THAT CATERED FOR EVERY SUBJECT IMAGINABLE. TODAY, I WATCH AS THESE SAME JOURNALISTS DEPLORE INTERNET USERS FOR COPYRIGHT FRAUD, AS THE MP3 RUSH CONTINUES. I OCCASIONALY STOP TO ASK MYSELF, HOWEVER, EXACTLY HOW FAR THE LIBRARY ANALOGY CAN BE TAKEN?

CONSIDER THE POINT OF ANY LIBRARY: USERS JOIN UP, USUALLY FOR FREE, AND ARE THEN FREE TO USE ANY OF THE PRODUCTS CONTAINED THEREIN, WITHOUT PURCHASING THEM. THE LIBRARY CUSTOMERS DO NOT PAY ANY COPYRIGHT FEES TO THE AUTHORS, AND ONCE THE LIBRARY HAS PURCHASED A BOOK, IT DISTRUBUTES
THIS INFORMATION FREELY AMONG ITS USERS.

SO WHAT MAKES NAPSTER SO DIFFERENT? IF THE MUSIC CULTURE HAD DEVELOPED INTO A LIBRARY SYSTEM, AND GLUTTONOUS RECORD COMPANIES HAD NOT GOT USED TO THE STEADY AND SUBSTANTIAL FLOW OF INCOME THAT COMES AT THE HANDS OF MUSIC-HUNGRY FANS, DO YOU THINK THE FILE-SHARING SITUATION WOULD HAVE DEVELOPED INTO THE ETHICAL AND MORAL BATTLEGROUND IT IS TODAY?

BOTH BOOKS AND MUSIC FALL UNDER THE CREATIVE COPYRIGHT OF THEIR AUTHORS, YET TO SHARE ONE IS PERFECTLY ACCEPTABLE. TO SHARE THE OTHER, HOWEVER, IS AN INVITATION TO A LAW SUITE.

6 YEARS AGO, THE REPORTERS PROCLAIMED THE INTERNET AS A VAST COMMON RESOURCE, WHICH WOULD FINALLY ENSURE THE FREE FLOW OF INFORMATION TO ALL AND SUNDRY. TODAY, THEY DEPLORE AN INNOVATIVE YOUNG COMPANY FOR BEING THE FIRST TO DO JUST THAT....

So the next time someone attacks a Napster user, or the like, take the time to ask yourself: are they copyrighting? Or Hyopcriting!

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