Wednesday, June 12, 2013

BitTorrent goes straight in effort to end association with piracy


Concepts: Ethical publishing principles-piracy & file sharing sites; copyright regulations & fair use; new music business model & new media ecosystem
            BitTorrent is a platform for internet users to share files online a peer-to-peer network for over 10 years (Holpuch 2013). It is able to hold up to 170 million monthly active users (Holpuch 2013). Hence, users had abused the software to share illegal content. Illegal downloading like music and movie had lead to copyright and piracy issue (Holpuch 2013).
            On the other hand, some artists and author had used this as an opportunity to increase their fan base (Holpuch 2013). And so, they are able to earn more indirectly by selling other merchandise to fan (Holpuch 2013). As a result, BitTorrent is trying to promote legitimate service for digital music (Holpuch 2013). On top of that, new auto pilot program had been unveiled to spotlight musicians and filmmakers to online users (BitTorrent 2010). BitTorrent Live had been released in March 2013 with live streaming BitTorrent technology to share live content online more efficiently (BitTorrent Live 2013).

            I think that when copies are available online, it will be shared illegally. However, with streaming available, users are allowed to access rather than having ownership (Strategy Analytics n.d.). “Copyright enables composers, recording artists, musicians and other creatives to be recognised and paid for their work” (BBC 2013). I find that by streaming, it can reduce the copyright and piracy issue on file sharing because paying to access streaming able to prevent music or movie being copied.
            Government has taken into action to reduce copyright issue by forming Center for Copyright Information to educate consumers on how to obtain digital copyrighted content legally and avoid illegal peer-to-peer sharing, through a system based on information and deterrence (Lesser 2012).
            On top of that, Digital Right Management (DRM) had emerged in music and film industry to allow Pay-to-Play streaming system to prevent users from accessing the file without payment (Digital Rights Director, 2011).
I think that there will never be a way to completely stop or prevent piracy and copyrights issues to happen. However, more and more software are developed to reduce the impact on piracy. For example, iTunes, Walmart Music, Sony Music or even the latest iTunes radio that Apple released to allow users to listen to best selection of music by streaming can reduce music from illegal downloading.

Reference List
BBC 2013, ‘A Guide to Music Copyright’, College of Production, viewed 9 June 2013, <http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/collegeofproduction/videos/tv/a_guide_to_music_copyright>.
BitTorrent 2010, ‘BitTorrent Spotlights Artists in New Pilot Program’, Press Releases, viewed 9 June 2013, <http://www.bittorrent.com/company/about/bittorrent_spotlights_artists_in_new_pilot_program>.
BitTorrent Live 2013, ‘A New Way To Live Broadcast’, About Us, viewed 9 June 2013, <http://live.bittorrent.com/>.
Digital Rights Director 2011, ‘The Easiest Way to Sell Videos Online and Prevent Digital Piracy’, Digital Rights Management, viewed 9 June 2013, <http://digitalrightsdirector.com/Easiest_Way_To_Sell_Videos_Online_And_Prevent_Piracy.html>.
Holpuch, A 2013, ‘BitTorrent goes straight in effort to end association with piracy’, The Guardian, viewed 9 June 2013, <http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2013/mar/13/bittorrent-goes-straight-piracy-illegal-downloads>.
Lesser 2012, ‘How to keep web copyright infringers honest’, CNN, viewed 9 June 2013, <http://edition.cnn.com/2012/07/17/opinion/lesser-copyright/index.html?iref=allsearch>.
Strategy Analytics n.d., ‘Global Digital Music Sales to top $8.6 Billion in 2012’, Press Releases, viewed 9 June 2013, <http://www.strategyanalytics.com/default.aspx?mod=pressreleaseviewer&a0=5268>.



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