Ethical issues around music and movie downloading have been a controversial topic since technology allowed us to download documents, music as well as movies for...FREE! Why is it a complicated topic? It is very simple. People who work hard does not see any money. Actually, if I have a job and at the end of the month I don't see any money in my account...yeah I would be so mad as well.
So, here is the problem. Singers, actors and writers, for example, work hard to achieve in society (mainly): entertainment, amusement, spectacle and diversion. And when you download their work on the Internet instead of going to the store...that means one thing. THEY DO THEIR WORK FOR FREE!
Who does not like the word free? I mean, if people get crazy when in a super market there is a sign that says " sample free", why people are not gonna get even more crazy when they can actually save... money!? Well, money and time. When you download a movie, for example, you do it for free. But the most interesting thing is that you can watch the movie at home. You can even watch a movie while you take a bath! So... why am I gonna go to a movie theater, spend money in gas, spend money in the ticket, and of course popcorn and coke if I can get... everything for free right?
This is how mostly the society thinks. However, while there are people spending hours writing a book, you just go to Internet and download it free by not paying any cent to this awesome writer. Same with movies. Why are you gonna pay something...if you can get it for free?This is the main ethical issue in our society. Some people think there is no problem on doing this and some see it as a terrible thing.
As a student, I had so many professors in my life. As a surprise, none told me in class or informed me about this topic! I want to be a professor. A good professor. Those ones that everybody talks about because you are just awesome. Sometimes students talk to each other and say: you should pick this professor. He/She is really good. So yeah, basically I wanna be one of those. And to achieve this, first I have to be legal and teach to my students that they should be legal too. I guess it is gonna be a fight between what is right and what is wrong. There is no doubt that every student is different and each of them will pick one option. Ones will pick to be legal and others will be the " I am not gonna pay it, I can get ir for free". Students are free to do whatever they want but there is no doubt that I will tell them what is legal, right and the appropriate thing for them.
Teachers have a huge responsibilities. I mean, we work with people so..there's that! But, If I have to talk about responsibilities regarding copyright, I should know what I can address to my lectures and what not. I should be legal so every time I am going to use pictures, videos and audios in my classes, I have to ask for permission if the documents have copyright. Also I should cite every information I use from Internet as well as magazines or books.
Remember, be legal is in your hands. You have the chance to be an angel or...the devil. But don't play with fire!
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