Thirdly, there is the use of technology to stop piracy. This is quite difficult because the advancement in technology leads to advancement in the music piracy. However, knowledge in technology leads to the introduction and use of Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems. These systems limit the number of computer devices that can play a song. As a result, there is a reduction in the number of people sharing unauthorized music through file sharing networks. In addition, musicians are adopting the introduction and use of a digital fingerprint on all the downloadable files they sell. The digital fingerprint enables to trace pirated music back to the source. This reduces the level of music piracy occurring through the internet. Fourthly, many musicians are resulting in litigation as a way of protecting themselves from music piracy (Wallace, 2012). They press lawsuits against the music pirates who infringe upon their (musician) rights given in the copyright statute. In addition, there is an introduction of piracy and copyright laws, which aim at stopping music piracy. However, this is only in countries that recognize copyright laws.
Fifthly, the musicians use lobbying as a way of stopping music piracy. They lobby the Government to introduce Acts that strengthen the copyright protection in the digital medium. These Acts prohibit circumvention of the encryption technology that musicians use to protect their music. The Acts also prevent people with ill motives to release information about how to circumvent the copy-protection technology. An example of an Act in the U.S.A. is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998 (Wallace, 2012). Finally, many musicians are forming associations that promote and support the creative and financial capacity of music industries. Members of these associations create and distribute legitimate music. In...
An example of such an association is the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). All these efforts work towards stopping music piracy in the music industry.
In conclusion, music is an essential element in day-to-day lives of many people. Music is a soother to the souls of many people and acts as a stress reliever. The music industry works exceptionally to distribute legitimate music, of various artists to consumers at a fee. However, many people avoid paying for the music and download or acquire it illegally. Others distribute the illicit downloads with the aim of financial gain. This results in music piracy, a phenomenon that affects the music industry and musicians negatively. They earn a little money despite their hard work and efforts. Therefore, in order to continue benefitting from the music, artists and music industries need to have the motivation to continue creating more music. Therefore, it is essential for music consumers to enjoy responsibly, respectfully and within the set laws.
References
Condry, I. (2004). Cultures of music piracy. International Journal of Cultural Studies, 7(3), 343-363. doi:10.1177/1367877904046412
Easley, R.F., Michel, J.G., & Devaraj, S. (2003). The mp3 open standard and the music industry's response to internet piracy. Communications of the ACM, 46(11), 90-96.
LaRose, R., & Kim, J. (2007). Share, Steal, or Buy? A Social Cognitive Perspective of Music Downloading. Cyberpsychology & Behavior, 10(2), 267-277. doi:10.1089/cpb.2006.9959
Wallace, W. (2012). note: authorizing piracy on the cyber seas: an initiative to compensate right sholders of sound recordings by making music free. George Washington International Law Review, 44(1), 141-172.
