Some people obtain access to information services without paying for them. Some

Question

Some people obtain access to information services without paying for them. Some hackers use proxy servers to make telephone calls using voice over IP services. Some suburbanites gain access to cable television by splitting the line when it enters an apartment building. Some movie fans buy burners that illegally copy DVDs including the software needed to break the security codes.

People justify their actions by claiming that the product or service is too expensive and that this is payback to the establishment. What are your thoughts? Are these thefts ethical? Should the service providers use technology to prevent it? Do you have any personal experiences or relevant reference sites to share?

Explanation / Answer

NO, according to me these thefts ethical and the basic principle behind the economics of producing is that, by producing a given good, you will be reimbursed by your patrons in the form of money or some other good which you find worthwhile in trading. There is no right to free goods. This applies to both physical and digital goods and cannot be taken away from the producer. But some people don't have the money to buy their stuff and along with this people are willing to pay (but not overpay) for content, if it's more convenient than the downloading alternative. Make it too hard/expensive for us, and will find a way of getting it elsewhere.

I think most people would prefer to legally obtain their media, as long as the convenience factor and price is right. The biggest issue comes with popular, limited availability and expensive content. Way easier and cheaper to download it rather than jump through another.

YES, the service providers should use technology to prevent it. Technology has been a key component in helping to stop this. Music companies have been experimenting with ways to put anti-copying software onto the CDs they sell. Software programs can be created to require authorization codes or online registration forms because they are only using with legal copies. They require that any protected media be run on sealed, black-box style machines. For downloadable content, digital rights management systems limit the number of devices that can play a particular movie or song in order to stop people from sharing unauthorized copies.

Example:

All technical means still fail when attempting to discourage re-recording. Just take an example that there is no technical way to stop someone from planting a video camera in the middle of a movie theater, and re-recording the movie while it plays. Now, the re-recording may not be the same quality, but it can be very close, if met the right conditions. This is a social hack, and one that technology cannot prevent.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse S
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.