Pirates of the Internet Bay
By Javier Duque
Pirates make it dangerous to share files over internet. Four Swedish men behind the pirate bay were found guilty of breaking copyright law and sentenced to a year in prison.
How many web users can say they've never shared files online before? Does that mean we are all criminals?
It is important to say that the website never provided files such as music or movies. In fact they never provided any kind of files to download at all.
The website only gives the users a Bit Torrent address that allows them to download a file from another user so, technically, they’re not downloading it at all, they’re just sharing files between a big community of users.
And more importantly, the Pirate Bay staff is not receiving any money for it. They might get money for the ads included on their website, but never from providing the bit torrent address.
Justice not guaranteed
The Internet is obviously a fast-paced multimedia medium of communication and international laws do not seem to be able to keep up with its pace. So can justice really be guaranteed?
The Pirate Bay case is a prime example of this problem. During the court proceedings, companies such as Universal, EMI and Sony BMG were compensated for losses incurred due to Pirate Bay’s activity.
Power to the people
And what do the people say about that? What do Internet users say about it? Generally, surfers who download music or movies from the Internet do not feel guilty or like a criminal.
"I don’t think I am stealing anyone. I’m just sharing files with other users and trying to use it responsibly. None of my friends or me is making money of it," says Sarah, a 26-year-old Internet user.
Oscar, 31, is even more explicit, "that Pirate Bay case it’s a shame. The big companies should thank websites like Pirate Bay for spreading their music. Without them and without other downloading programs hundreds of artists would get little exposure."
And it is true that internet is a great forum for promotion. Fifteen years ago, promoters of bands and movies were unable to reach half the audience they can reach today.
And that’s thanks to blogs, websites, and downloading websites and programs.
How else can you explain a sold out show from a band that doesn’t have an album?
The information written in blogs, facebook, youtube or networks is rarely ever paid for.
Surfers make loop holes
Surely, in the future laws for internet users will become stricter, like what may happen in France. But it seems web users will find alternative ways of sharing files without paying and avoiding the action of the law.
Like the Pirate Bay staff says, “as in all good movies, the heroes lose in the beginning but have an epic victory in the end anyhow. That's the only thing Hollywood ever taught us.”
