Downloads
Thursday 4 December 2008
Want to download music and films? Confused about the law? We straighten up a few facts for you.
What is peer-to-peer?
Peer-to-peer sharing lets you download sound files, videos and documents from other online users. The person doesn't need to be on the same network as you either, they can be anywhere in the world.Napster
Napster was one of the most popular peer-to-peer file sharing websites during the 90s, especially among teens and university students, because the service was so easy to use.
However, Napster was breaking copyright laws because it was providing coyrighted music for free. Copyright allows the person who created the product to get credit and financial benefit from it, as well as control over where it is distributed.
As Napster didn’t have the rights to the files and wasn't paying music companies for the tracks, superstars like Metallica, Dr. Dre and Madonna all fought against it.
Illegal downloading
Studies in June 2008 showed how popular illegal MP3 downloads were amongst 14-24 year olds.
MP3s compress audio data into a smaller size. This makes it easier to share amongst peer-to-peer users who rip music from CDs and share it with others.
Students had an average of 800 illegal music downloads on players like iPods. The study also showed that 89 per cent of 14-17 year olds illegally shared some of their music collection.
It's not only MP3s that are illegally downloaded. Recently, a woman was ordered to pay £16,000 for sharing a game called Dream Pinball 3D.
Around six million broadband users are illegally downloading files every year – costing companies millions.
What is DRM?
Digital Rights Management (DRM) allows the copyright holder or the owner of the media product control over the number of viewings, plays and copies and even which devices the media can be played or viewed on. This is done through restrictive technology.
For example, CDs can be installed with DRM protection and can't be played on computers. This means it can't be ripped and then shared with others.
Apple has its own digital rights management called FairPlay, which means files legally downloaded from its site can only be played on Apple products like MACs, iTunes and iPods.
Ever visited an e-book site but couldn't read the full book or even full pages? That’s because it is DRM restricted – until you buy your own copy.
Download laws
It is illegal to download anything that is protected by copyright – unless you’re paying for it.
The biggest online digital store is Apple. Under it's FairPlay system you can purchase music for 79p per single, or £7.99 a year. You can aso buy films for £6.99, or rent them from £2.49.
EMusic specialises in DRM-free MP3s, meaning they are free from DRM restrictions. This challenges the big music companies, so its music selection is a lot smaller than Apple's, covering a lot of underground artists in the indie rock, jazz, new age and underground rap genres.
Amazon's new DRM-free downloads is set to rival everything else. Albums are going for just £3, whilst singles start at 59p!
DRM-free downloads are evolving and becoming more popular as companies see the potential it brings. Sony BMG currently lets you download ringtones and wallpaper straight to your phone, and has plans to do the same for music.
Tackling the illegal situation
Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can now take action against their customers who use their internet line to share or make pirate copies of any type of media – this includes music, games and films.
Any internet user suspected of downloading illegal files may be sent a warning letter for the first offence, a suspension if they are caught again and their internet connection cancelled if they are caught for a third time.
The UK government want to cut illegal downloads by 80 per cent by 2011, so regulator Ofcom plans to work with ISPs to make this happen. It plans to slow down the internet connection of illegal file sharers, or block content altogether.
