A few years ago, people could download and share music on the Internet for free in Korea. However, soon the government prohibited free-downloading and conducted a campaign against illegal free-downloading on the Internet. Thanks to these efforts, most people now think that downloading music off the Internet for free is not a 'right' thing. However, is it really wrong because the government said so? I would say 'no' to that question. Authorities don't guarantee any legitimacy. In my personal view, the copyright law that prohibits free-downloading is not appropriate.
To begin with, let's consider about the argument 'people who create songs should be paid so that they can get rewarded for their efforts'. I want to ask one question. Are those efforts really their 'own' efforts? Do their all creations come out of nothing? In my opinion, there should be some 'intellectual basis' beforehand to create something. 'Create' means 'make something that doesn't exist before'. We should know what already exists before trying to create something. However, we don't pay for learning these backgrounds. Moreover, even if it's true that there are some their 'own' efforts, those must be a very little amount. I don't think that little amount deserves such money.
In addition, it seems quite unfair when we think about 'other' efforts. There are thousands of jobs and works. People do various things to earn money for a living. For example, some people get paid for their physical labor and others for intellectual labor. Creating songs is also included in intellectual labor. However, the amount of payment for it is too overestimated. If someone makes a song and registers a copyright on it, he or she will get paid for more than 10 years doing nothing but having a copyright! We know that it's much easier for musicians to earn such a big money than for ordinary people who work as a salaried man.
This might be because there is a certain underlying belief that 'artistic efforts' worth more than other normal efforts. But is this true? As for me, I believe that 'artistic ability' is strongly related to 'inborn talent'. We admit the truth that there is an inequality on our births. However, we human beings made 'law' and have developed it to reduce such inequalities. Then, can we say that 'the copyright law' does observe the very important basic purpose of 'law'? I'm afraid not.
Because of these reasons, I don't think the copyright law should be obeyed. Copyright law only considers and protects profits on creators' side. Similar to this, there are lots of conflicts over various interests. And it's very difficult to say 'what is justice' since there is no absolute value in this world. Therefore, we must take all sides to take account when we decide 'right' one. All things considered, downloading music for free may not be a 'bad' thing actually.
I loved how you started your writing by explaing the change in regulations about filesharing in Korea from the past to the present! It was a very interesting part because I know it by experience.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I really loved how you well-organized your writing. The structure of your writing is really natural and smooth.
Your main point seems that free music downloading should be legal.
Your idea in the 4th paragraph struck me powerfully, since I partly agree with your opinion there.
Everything was clear to me.
If I could help you in just one thing, I see a kind of double standards in your writing. Please don't misunderstand me, since I'm not trying to offend you, but in your first paragraph, according to your logic, it seems that everything has to be free, because nobody got their skills with his of her own effort. Even salaried men, which you mentioned in the second paragraph as an example, didn't get his or her skill by his or her own. They learned it by other people. So I just wonder if their works should be regarded as free like the artists' works.
But overall, it is such a good writing! Great job!
oh, I didn't recognize that. I really appreciate it. thank you!
DeleteI can see your point clearly,prohibiting free downloading music off the internet is inappropriate. I like how you organized your writing, and you have written your point very clearly. There is one thing that i would want you to change is that you wrote only about creation, the provider sides. It would be better if you add about the side of people who wants to download music free off the internet. it would support your point more.
ReplyDelete