Be the Change in Stopping Theft of Intellectual Property
Stealing is much easier to do when nobody is watching. With today's easy access to the internet, advent of crazy smartphone apps, and internet anonymity, it is so easy and so tempting to steal intellectual property. Intellectual property ranges largely from leaked versions of blockbuster films to a final report of a university student that earned them a respectable A+. Nowadays, it is very common for people to download movies through illegal yet accessible websites, effortlessly copy and paste someone's hard work and crediting it as their own. And sometimes, the reasoning behind such actions is understandable. Even so, there are also plenty of reasons why people should refrain from doing so as well.
One of the most obvious reasons why people steal intellectual property is because it is cheap. Sometimes, it is even for free. Film tickets are expensive these days. The average movie ticket is about 8 dollars, much more than an average meal for a university student. Some movies with special 3D or 4D effects cost nearly twice as much. Listening to music is pricey as well. The average music CD costs about the price of two movie tickets. There are official music sites that allow to stream or download music at a comparatively low price but it is still pricey. That is why many young students resort to downloading music and movies through illegal P2P network sites. While the need to have a cultural life is understandable, the fact remains that such actions are hurting hardworking people in the music and film industry and denying them of compensation they are rightfully entitled to. Being poor is not a justifiable excuse to stealing the property of others. A life without movies or music is unarguably dull. Even so, if it cannot be paid for, then life must be without them.
Some people do not realize the seriousness of intellectual property theft because it is so easy to do so. Many writings, pictures, photos and various forms of intellectual property can be copied with a few clicks of the mouse. It is just as easy as that. Some sites have measures that prevent their work from being copied that way but that rarely stops people. Various programs and software sneaks through such protection measures and allows people to copy, capture screens, record and whatsoever, intellectual property. All people have to do is simply download the software that enables them to do so. Because of its simplicity, people do not even realize what they are doing is a serious crime and theft. They merely consider it as a 'hindrance' from getting what they want. However, this is indeed a serious crime. If caught, depending on the degree, some could be let off with a fine and warning, but some people could actually go to jail for such theft. Waiting for the computer to download a movie while sipping coffee on a Sunday morning may not seem like stealing but it is important to recognize the fact that it is.
Regardless of how easy and convenient it is, intellectual property should be just as protected as normal property rights with just as much effort. Admittedly, it is hard to do so especially when everyone is doing free of any qualms. However, sometimes it is important to be the good starting point instead of waiting for someone else to make the change. Make the change. Be the change that leads to the general movement trying to stop the theft of intellectual property and protect those who are hurting from it.
I really like your essay ! I think it has everything we have learned from last class. From refutations to the concessions, this essay has it all. Some of the information was interesting and new. It is just that your introduction seems little long. The essay itself seems to be great. I like it !
ReplyDelete(201201925 Ahn Chihwan) Hi. I would say your essay is structured logically. Your thesis statement and topic sentences are supporting your thesis. I liked that you suggested trying to change the practice. One thing I want to give a critique is you have four paragraphs(not five), which resulted in a super long 3rd paragraph and this kinda makes reading burdensome.
ReplyDeleteBe the Change in Stopping Theft of Intellectual Property
ReplyDeleteStealing is much easier to do when nobody is watching. With today's easy access to the internet, advent of crazy smartphone apps, and internet anonymity, it is so easy and so tempting to steal intellectual property. And sometimes, the reasoning behind such actions is understandable. Nowadays, it is very common for people to download movies through illegal yet accessible websites, effortlessly copy and paste someone's hard work and crediting it as their own. Even so, there are also plenty of reasons why people should refrain from doing so as well.
One of the most obvious reasons why people steal intellectual property is because it is cheap. Sometimes, it is even for free. The average movie ticket is about 8 dollars, which costs much more than an average meal for a university student. Some movies with special 3D or 4D effects cost nearly twice as much. Listening to music is pricey as well. Music CDs costs about the price of two movie tickets. There are official music sites that allow to stream or download music at a comparatively low price but it is still quite expensive especially for young and broke university students. That is why many young students resort to downloading music and movies through illegal P2P network sites. While the need to have a cultural life is understandable, the fact remains that such actions are hurting hardworking people in the music and film industry and denying them of compensation they are rightfully entitled to. Being poor does not justify the act of stealing the property of others. A life without movies or music is unarguably dull. Even so, if it cannot be paid for, then life must be without them.
Some people do not realize the seriousness of intellectual property theft because it is so easy to do so. Many writings, pictures, photos and various forms of intellectual property can be copied with a few clicks of the mouse. It is just as easy as that. Some sites have measures that prevent their work from being copied. Unfortunately, that rarely stops people. Various programs and software sneaks through such protection measures and allows people to copy, capture, and record intellectual property. All people have to do is simply download the software that enables them to do so. Because of its simplicity, people do not even realize what they are doing is a serious crime and theft. However, this is indeed a serious crime. If caught, depending on the degree, some could be let off with a fine and warning, but some people could actually go to jail for such theft. Waiting for the computer to download a movie while sipping coffee on a Sunday morning may not seem like stealing but it is important to recognize the fact that it is.
ReplyDeleteRegardless of how easy and convenient it is, intellectual property should be just as protected as normal property rights with just as much effort. Admittedly, it is hard to do so especially when everyone is doing free of any qualms. However, sometimes it is important to be the good starting point instead of waiting for someone else to make the change. Make the change. Be the change that leads to the general movement trying to stop the theft of intellectual property and protect those who are hurting from it.
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