Should Online File Sharing be Strongly Prosecuted?

Obi Udezeh
Lit Ethics
1/9/12

Should Online File Sharing be Strongly Prosecuted?

I believe that online file sharing shouldn't be viewed of as an illegal action, simply because in a

way it helps the creators. As a community in a way we all function and keep up to date by word

of mouth. This meaning that if someones song or movie is downloaded and viewed or watched, if

it is enjoyed then of course they are going to tell their friends about it. I think that this is a

strategy many hip hop and R&B musicians use. They release a mixtape that can be downloaded

for free, then as people listen to it and enjoy the music, its being shared on facebook, twitter, and

through text. And this releasing of the mixtape results in the artist having more fans that are

going to be looking forward to their album. An example of this would be a artist named Lil'

Wayne. A week or so before his album dropped he released a mixtape called “Sorry for the

Wait,” over 10 sites recorded this mixtape being downloaded 1 million times. Then when his

Album released he sold 1 million copies in the first week.
Also I believe that online file sharing shouldn't be viewed of as an illegal action because the

creator will always be in the winning end. As much as people share files online, twice as many

copies are being bought from stores, itunes, and amazon. I don't think that file sharing will ever

surpass original copies because people are fans and people support creators. When an artist

named Drake's album released, I know many people that downloaded the album but also bought

the album to show they supported him.

Lessig, Lawrence. "Prosecuting Online File Sharing Turns a Generation Criminal - US News and World Report." Http://www.usnews.com. US News Politics, 22 Dec. 2008. Web. 09 Jan. 2012. http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2008/12/22/prosecuting-online-file-sharing-turns-a-generation-criminal.

Ross, Patrick. "Copyright Laws Work Well Against Illegal File Sharing, Also Called Online Theft - US News and World Report." Www.usnews.com. U.S.News & World Report LP, 22 Dec. 2008. Web. 09 Jan. 2012. .