Nipping Napster Argumentative Analysis

Whereas some individuals agree with downloading music being a form to promote artists and expand their fan base, most can stand with downloading music being a form of theft. Sophia, a student from Palmdale High, speaks out in favor of the issue by pointing out that free downloading “does not affect the profits that music industries make”. While this may be true for the music industry as a whole, individual artists do suffer significant financial losses from websites like Napster. At these sites millions can instantly download music illegally without any consequences. Users glorify Napster ,along with other sites similar, to the fact that Napster is perfect for expulsion of artists. A Palmdale High Student, Cassandra Brito, states, “Free downloads
A song is not all for the consumer to listen to but, also for the artist to get a living off of. The smallest push of sales can either put an artist at the top or bottom of the spectrum. With that extra push small upcoming artist could make it, but that chance has been completely shattered from piracy. Nelson writes on the topic, “the less documented damage extends far beyond the ‘red carpet’, to emerging artists, especially those who are on the verge of making it”. The negative effects of copyright not only affects artists and the music industry; it paves the way to new crimes on a much larger scale. With copyright laws being broken every day with illegal downloads, theft is becoming all too common place. As long as someone can hide behind a computer screen you can download not only illegal music, but can similarly steal someone’s identity. This has lead to a ripple affect of crimes such as Catfishing, hacking, and stalking. With the advent of new technology greater security is necessary for internet theft, even as simply discontinuing illegal download