PennTags Feed for /tag/downloading

The Digital Songstream: Mastering ... - Google Book Search

This book is a guide – as its title might suggest – to all things digital when it comes to music. It serves as not so much an analysis on copyright in the music industry as a whole, but rather as a set of legal and technical guidelines so that one may participate in the consumption and production of such music without infringing on copyrights. In other words, it describes for the reader all of the ins-and-outs of the digital music industry so that one may know where in the law his practices may reside.

Hill’s book has entire chapters devoted to the assessment of what is legal, what is not, and how to go about participating in said sanctioned musical practices. He identifies a list of acceptable file-sharing websites, and offers his own commentary on why others are forbidden, as well as why these are acceptable. The book begins with a basic introduction into the technologies and methods used in the digital realm and then goes deeper to list available services and to comment on the merits of various practices. His advice is clear and he condones no illegal activity, yet he makes clear why certain people might be motivated to circumvent copyright laws in terms of digital music. He further lists specific file types and programs that are used in these practices and he identifies useful software. He finishes the book with another broad chapter about the “Conscience of Digital Music” as a whole as well as his prediction of the future of the industry.

Hill’s technological knowledge is a key aspect of this book that has allowed me to delve deeply into the details of digital music production and sharing. He explains these issues in simple terms, while still conveying the complexity of their implications. In writing this final paper, the technological terms and details from this book will provide much-needed expertise in a field that I am not necessarily well-versed in. In my analysis of the acceptability of digital sampling, I must first know how the practice works and what techniques are involved; this book offers me this knowledge, which is key to reaching a conclusion in my final paper on what sampling is acceptable within copyright law.

Search Results - THOMAS (Library of Congress)

Curb Illegal Downloading on College Campuses Act of 2007

The goal of this bill is to combat illegal downloading on university campuses. In the ‘findings’ section of the bill, it states that illegal downloading of a variety of mediums are used and have been used increasingly on university and college campuses. It also claims that peer-to-peer file sharing puts a strain on the university and costs the university money. Congress also finds that illegal downloading puts the university networks at a higher risk of being infected with computer viruses. The last point made in congress’ findings is that programs that stop illegal downloading can do so without violating the privacy of students or their academics. The bill also amends the ‘Higher Education Act’ of 1965 by adding support for pilot programs and policies that reduce the amount of illegal downloading.

This bill that was introduced in the House is valuable to my topic because it provides congress' standings on the relationship between universities and file sharing. The bill demonstrates that congress recognizes the downfalls of file sharing, not only from a legal standpoint but also from the effect it has on universities. Although the bill supports the fight against illegal downloading, it does not necessarily make universities responsible, nor does it directly support the RIAA.

LexisNexisB. Academic: Document

Class(room) Action:
One University Refuses To Pass On RIAA File-Sharing Letters, But The Rest Play Ball

This article discusses how the University of Wisconsin has gone against the RIAA’s request to identify students who the RIAA finds have participated in illegal downloading. The RIAA wants to use Internet Protocol/IP addresses from university networks to give individuals a chance to come forward without their names being involved. The difficulty with this arises from the fact that the university cannot know which student is actually doing the illegal downloading, especially when rooms are shared and one port is used. The University of Wisconsin argues that it does not want to be a middle man in this situation, stating that it is inappropriate. This system of locating individuals by the universities is not legally required, but the article points out that many administrators believe it is beneficial to students since it gives them the opportunity to settle.

This article aids my topic, because it provides information regarding a method that gives universities the option to aid its students, without making it a legal necessity. It still has its flaws like the overall threats involved in the lawsuits, but it would be preferable for universities to have an option rather than be forced into action by loss of funding and legal issues. This article also provides the opinion of the University of Wisconsin and presents how they are handling the RIAA’s pressure differently from most other institutions. The University of Wisconsin's position could be helpful in contrasting university policies.

Piracy on the High C's

Written by two professors at the Penn in March of this past year addressing how the music industry's revenue has drastically dropped within the past three years. Many argue that this decline in profits is due to file sharing. They obtained data concerning album sales via purchase and downloading as well as consumer valuations from college students. They offer a new estimate of sales displacement caused by downloading.

Web studies / edited by David Gauntlett and Ross Horsley.

This book has a chapter dedicated to music industry in relation to the internet. Ian Dobie discusses MP3's and "other cyber music wars" as they serve to threaten the recording industry and contribute to complication of web studies. Also there is a discussion of the effects of technological advancement on the sound recording industry as a business.

Other Music Shuts Down Boston Store

Josh Madell of New York's Other Music closes his Boston store, which had been his only branch store. The retailer attributes the failed business venture an "Internet-piracy-heavy environment." His Boston store was specifically located in Harvard Square which has proved to be the hub of MP3 users which points to the underlying reality of the time that the majority of college students are not buying albums anymore since downloading hit the scene.