For those of us who once used Kazaa (or maybe still do) or have burned CDs or DVDs, we know it's not something new in today's age. But as the war against digital piracy continues, government organizations such as the FBI have become involved in protecting the music and movie industries.
File-sharing networks such as Kazaa, Morpheus and LimeWire have provided Internet surfers with an endless number of downloads to transfer music from computer to CD, or even DVD to CD.
These free file-sharing networks have been counteracted by several legitimate services, such as Apple's iTunes and Napster, which charge a certain rate for downloading individual songs or entire albums. These music sites have tried to counter free file-sharing networks by providing exclusive artist tracks and high quality downloads.
However, it is safe to say that many people still prefer free music and movies to paying for them.
Recently, the FBI enacted a new way to combat illegal CD, DVD and video game copies. Like the warning messages that have appeared on VHS tapes and DVDs for many years, the new labels will implicitly state, "The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable with up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000."
It will be up to the individual entertainment companies and software manufacturers to decide whether to display the new FBI warnings.
The FBI ranks cyber-crime as its third most important priority, behind terrorism and counter-intelligence, according to the FBI Web site. Odd as it may be to place cyber-crime among such grave issues as terrorism, it is no lie that the U.S entertainment industry loses a tremendous amount of money from digital piracy. The movie industry alone lost up to $3 billion a year, according to the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA).
The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) was cautious in response and quaint on the subject. Spokeswoman Amanda Collins could only say that she didn't know specifically how Penn State would be affected by the warnings, and she could only forward official association statements.
One of the statements, which was attributed to the RIAA's Brad Buckles, executive vice president for anti-piracy, said: "It is our hope that when consumers see the new FBI warning on the music they purchase, both physically and online, they will take the time to learn the dos and don'ts of copying and uploading to the Internet."
Penn State has implemented a firewall and legal Napster software to prevent downloading illegal music and keep students from leaving themselves open to possible jail time and fines if caught downloading illegal files.
"I think this is a step in the right direction," said Phuong Yokitis, director of public affairs at the MPAA. "Every initiative that is taken will contribute to the end of piracy. All of these mini steps are part of a broad nationwide campaign to educate people about what is legal and illegal"
However, some are not as convinced by the FBI's new warning, believing that regardless of what changes are achieved, no one can stop people from burning copies of albums for friends or DVDs for family.
"I think people will burn CDs whether the FBI seal is there or not," said Trevor Kress (freshman-film and video). "The consequences of doing so seem like empty threats. For the most part, I've never seen them follow through. If you think about how companies are selling rewritable CDs in packs of 50 and 100, what do they really think people are using those CDs for?"
