Copyright and the Internet 

 

Should People Be Able to Download Movies and Music for Free?

 

     The official battle over Napster is just one of many new exclusive rights disputes spawned by the digital uprising.  Movie studios are trying to control the accessibility of a software program that allows movie fans to copy encrypted digital videodisks. The film business is also suing a California company that supplies a Web-based video playback service - what the creator calls a "virtual VCR." The film and soundtrack industries claim that the Internet-based services amount to "piracy." However, computer and consumer groups believe copyright law should adapt to fresh technologies that make it less costly and easier to circulate innovative works.

To read more about the ruling check out the Napster website.

 

The Following Web Sites Provide Additional Information on the Internet and Copyright:

American Intellectual Property Law Association Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law
Computer and Communications Industry Association Electronic Frontier Foundation
Motion Picture Association of America Recording Industry Association of America

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Comments to Sybil Stokols
Last Revised March 1, 2001