[Trotter]

This global problem is only exacerbated by the internet. It is a very simple procedure to convert a music CD, a motion picture DVD, or a software program into an easily transferred form that can be sent anywhere in the world. Several programs exist whose sole purpose is to upload and download these files from other computers. The procedure of uploading and downloading content is known as peer-to-peer sharing, or files sharing. It is also known as “p2p”. While the programs that allow this are numerous, the most widely known and used are based off of a single program known as BitTorrent. BitTorrent was developed by programmer Bram Cohen in 2004, and, in less than three years, has become the most popular means of file sharing. Almost every p2p program available today is based on BitTorrent.

There are alternatives to some of these problems. For a growing percentage of computer users, open source software is becoming more and more commonplace. Open source software is software whose source code is freely available to the public for use, change, or study. There are numerous internet sites that freely distribute open source materials. Some examples of open source projects include OpenOffice (an alternative to Microsoft Office that allows the user to save documets in MS Office formats), numerous media players, and even complete operating systems.

Linux is a type of operating system that has been developed by countless individuals and groups over the years. Linux’ name was created by combining Unix, the system Linux was originally based from, and Linus, the first name of Linus Torvalds, the man who began the original work on Linux. There is no longer a single version of Linux, but hundreds of different versions of it, with names such as Mandriva, Unbuntu, Debian, and KNOPPIX. Almost all versions of Linux are free to download and use, but there are a few commercial varieties. The best know of the commercial versions is RedHat, which is now used by many businesses and corporations. Besides being free, another major advantage of Linux is that it is extremely reliable and very seldom ever crashes.

Piracy of digital media is a very real occurrence, but not every individual is going to try to pirate it. So the whole situation boils down to a single question: why are all consumers treated as if they are already guilty of piracy? It is understandable that companies want to protect their products from unlawful theft and distribution, but where should that line be drawn?

Due to the activities of a global minority, the manufacturers and producers of the various digital media have taken it upon themselves to treat each and every person like a criminal by restricting exactly how the content may be used. There is not a single person who would not balk at “buying” a car that they would never be able to use as they see fit, so why must each and every individual be forced to accept the same terms and conditions for the music, movies, and software that they purchase?

Some of the measures used today are not overly burdensome. Serial keys can be annoying, and to lose your serial key can mean anything to having to call support and explain the situation to having to re-purchase the software in question. The practice of only allowing a song or movie to be placed on a set number of devices can be bothersome, but most do not own multiple devices. Unique file types were a problem, but no longer since Apple opened up the format to other manufacturers.

However, other types of copy prevention are not easily swallowed. The invasive practices of Microsoft’s WGA and StarForce border on being illegal in the eyes of many. EULAs that hide exemptions and misleading clauses are bad business practice, no matter how it is viewed. Sony’s use of rootkits was found to be illegal, but the same thing could easily be duplicated by another company.

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer to these problems. In a perfect world, there would not be a need for these “security” measures, but our world is from perfect. Some of the means used by today’s digital content producers are overly restrictive and limiting, and these are used as blanket measures that are applied against everyone. While localized protocols would seem to be a better solution, the globalization brought about by the internet circumvents this solution. It is up to the producers and distributors of digital media to work with consumers to find less intrusive ways to prevent piracy that allow users to retain the rights to the media they purchase. It is also up to the consumer to make wise choices in both the media they choose and in the way they procure it.

The key is in the ignition. The engine is idling. What will happen will depend on the choices that are being made today.


Resources:
Concerned about validation? Get the facts here. (2007). Retrieved April 29, 2007, from Genuine Microsoft Software

Crime statistics: Software piracy rate by country. (2004). Retrieved April 29, 2007, from NationMaster - Software piracy rate (most recent) by country

Orlowski, A. (2005, November 1). Removing Sony's CD 'rootkit' kills Windows. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from Removing Sony's CD 'rootkit' kills Windows | The Register
Racoma, J. (2006). The Windows Genuine Advantage blurb. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from http://forevergeek.com/windows/the_w...tage_blurb.php
Reimer, J. (2006, November 28). Analyst predicts Vista adoption to trump XP. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from Analyst predicts Vista adoption to trump XP

Software protection. (2006). Retrieved April 29, 2007, from Software Protection

The customer is always wrong: A user’s guide to DRM in online music. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2007, from The Customer Is Always Wrong: A User's Guide to DRM in Online Music | Electronic Frontier Foundation

United States Constitution. (n.d.). Retrieved April 29, 2007, from LII: Constitution

Wojnarowicz, J. (2004, August 18). StarForce Interview and Piracy Discussion. Retrieved April 29, 2007, from StarForce Interview and Piracy Discussion

The formatting didn't carry over.