Downloading copyrighted material on the internet is tempting especially when the internet provides access to free materials. Almost everyone is guilty for this petty crime, if it can be considered as a crime at all. Although the law states that it is illegal to download copyrighted material on the internet, it should be legalized because it is not a crime at all.
The internet provides countless of websites and sources that provide music and movies for free. So why should anyone go the extra mile to pay for them, when they can be downloaded for free? If someone was given the choice to pay for a good or receive it for free, a smart choice would be to get the product for free. It is undeniably innate in consumers to seek for the best valued product at the lowest price. Therefore, the blame cannot be put on consumers for downloading for free but on the owners of the property. The responsibility lies on the owners of the copyrighted material to protect their material and prevent it from being leaked into society without a price tag. It is unfair that average citizens receive the punishments for what is considered less than a crime which is why downloading copyrighted material on the internet should be legalized.
In addition, consumers should not have to pay for materials online when they already paid for the computer or device. Devices are worth the value of the cost because they are last longing and can be utilized for various reasons. On the other hand, online materials such as movies, will only be watched once or maybe twice. Having to pay for all copyrighted materials seems like another way for industries to bleed the money out of consumers. The costs of online materials are unworthy and having to go through the payment steps are inconvenient. Hence, people should be given the right to have access to free copyrighted material.
Industries argue that they are not making enough money and it is part of their intellectual property which is why copyright materials need protection. However, I believe that this is not the case. Industries only want to sweep in more money and their ultimate goal is to make as much profit as possible. If they don't want people to download their copyrighted material against their will, they should protect it themselves through their own measures.
In conclusion, copyrighted materials are provided all over the internet and it is the right of the consumer to download whatever they have access to without being bound to the law. The responsibility lies within the owners of the intellectual property to safeguard their property.
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