Issue Date: 5/11/09
Downloading music is the norm at Palomar
By Amanda McCarthy
Music downloads reach an all-time high in 2008, said a report published by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. 3.6 billion songs are downloaded illegally every month, said Jacob Heilbrunn in an article for the Los Angeles Times. College students may be among the leading culprits for this act.
Palomar students have varying opinions on the ethical issues involved in downloading music.
Out of 30 Palomar students interviewed on illegal music downloads, only three students said that they had never done so.
The remaining 27 students admitted to getting music illegally by accessing files posted online, having friends burn copies of CDs or by using peer-to-peer networking to share music.
Music piracy steals about $3.5 billion from the music industry every year, according to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation. On the Recording Industry Association of America's Web site, it stated, "the pirate marketplace currently far dwarfs the legal marketplace."
Convictions of violating music copyrights can carry heavy repercussions. Criminal penalties can be as high as $250,000 or five years in prison, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Copyright owners can also sue for up to $150,000 in damages for each song illegally possessed.
"I do it (download songs) all the time, with no remorse," said a Palomar student who wished to remain anonymous because of possible legal ramifications.
Another student who also asked to remain unidentified said, "I probably downloaded 6,000 songs last weekend illegally. I just don't like paying for music."
Palomar student Derek McFarland could understand why some people would choose to pirate music.
"I think it's wrong, but I don't have $5,000 to spend on songs," he explained.
Cost is a major contributing factor to the decision to download songs illegally, according to many of the 27 students who pirated music. Several other students said that they didn't feel bad for downloading music because of their belief that it would not really effect the recording artists.
However, there are a few students who don't download music.
"I just mostly stay away from downloading music altogether, because if it's free, it's most likely illegal," Jessica Lopez said. She said that she buys CDs instead. "I like having a hard copy."
Overall, students appear to be divided on the issue of downloading music illegally. Some seem to think that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Others feel that it should be thought of as a crime.
The general consensus seems to be that, in principle, downloading pirated music is stealing. At the same time, many students do not seem concerned about whether or not the music they are downloading is legal.
"I think that if you (. . .) had any awareness that music could be illegal, then you should be aware of what you're downloading," Lopez said. "At that point, it becomes a personal choice."
Palomar students have varying opinions on the ethical issues involved in downloading music.
Out of 30 Palomar students interviewed on illegal music downloads, only three students said that they had never done so.
The remaining 27 students admitted to getting music illegally by accessing files posted online, having friends burn copies of CDs or by using peer-to-peer networking to share music.
Music piracy steals about $3.5 billion from the music industry every year, according to an analysis by the Institute for Policy Innovation. On the Recording Industry Association of America's Web site, it stated, "the pirate marketplace currently far dwarfs the legal marketplace."
Convictions of violating music copyrights can carry heavy repercussions. Criminal penalties can be as high as $250,000 or five years in prison, according to the Recording Industry Association of America. Copyright owners can also sue for up to $150,000 in damages for each song illegally possessed.
"I do it (download songs) all the time, with no remorse," said a Palomar student who wished to remain anonymous because of possible legal ramifications.
Another student who also asked to remain unidentified said, "I probably downloaded 6,000 songs last weekend illegally. I just don't like paying for music."
Palomar student Derek McFarland could understand why some people would choose to pirate music.
"I think it's wrong, but I don't have $5,000 to spend on songs," he explained.
Cost is a major contributing factor to the decision to download songs illegally, according to many of the 27 students who pirated music. Several other students said that they didn't feel bad for downloading music because of their belief that it would not really effect the recording artists.
However, there are a few students who don't download music.
"I just mostly stay away from downloading music altogether, because if it's free, it's most likely illegal," Jessica Lopez said. She said that she buys CDs instead. "I like having a hard copy."
Overall, students appear to be divided on the issue of downloading music illegally. Some seem to think that there is absolutely nothing wrong with it. Others feel that it should be thought of as a crime.
The general consensus seems to be that, in principle, downloading pirated music is stealing. At the same time, many students do not seem concerned about whether or not the music they are downloading is legal.
"I think that if you (. . .) had any awareness that music could be illegal, then you should be aware of what you're downloading," Lopez said. "At that point, it becomes a personal choice."
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