Illegal downloading; an article review

I read 2 articles concerning the illegal downloading of software and music, particularly by students (see links below). Both articles found that though most students nowadays (2005 survey) believe that most if not all people illegally download music and software, but the amount of students who think it’s actually OK to copy software and music has decreased, which might indicate that students are starting to realise the ethical issues and implications associated with illegal downloading more than they did previously (2000-2001 survey). Also, the surveys showed that current students are more computer literate than their previous counterparts - with not one person in either of the studies admitting to no previous experience with computers. This shows that students have a better understanding of how the technology works, and perhaps a better knowledge of how to illegally download software and music. The fact that students now see piracy as inappropriate behaviour may be because it is not only unethical now, but illegal - an easier concept to grasp (ethics are guidelines, laws are rules). It was also found that students are increasingly using their computers for recreation, most likely due to the popularity of MP3 players, or Apple ipod’s. A minority of students where found to buy music from online providers such as itunes, but it was also found that a lot of illegally downloading music was for sampling before purchase - the students were only listening to the downloads to decide whether or not an album was worth purchasing. The students, when asked about software, said that the believed that most people will copy rather than buy it, particularly the students themselves - in one article just over 50% admitted to copying software. They also found it more acceptable to download software if it was for educational purposes. The belief of students, that most people illegally download, could come from their own willingness to do it and belief that if they do it then why shouldn’t others. It was also found that, when studying peer-to-peer file sharing, album sales were not affected whatsoever, as they increased from 1999 to 2005. Also, most students would only like perhaps one or two songs from an album, which means that sites like itunes are becoming more popular with single song downloads. It was also found that since (in the U.S anyway) sales of singles has almost ceased, with incites students to share even more since they don’t want to be spending more money on an album when they only want a few songs from it. All in all the studies show that students nowadays understand better the ethics surrounding illegal downloading, and also understand how to use computers better. However, this has not stopped illegal downloading, only lessened it. I myself believe that piracy is wrong, but it doesn’t stop me from doing it - students have little money to live on, so I assume that they’re attitudes would be similar to mine - why pay for it when I can get it for free? Even with the music and software industries working to try and stop illegal downloading, I doubt they will unless they start giving away their goods for free - I strongly believe that it’s a money issue with students, and with other people too.

Article 1

Article 2