Preventing Illegal Downloading

This week in class we discussed copyright laws and fair use policies implemented by the media and government. Despite these laws and regulations being in place, there are still countless acts of piracy and copyright infringement committed daily. With the technology we have at our disposal, illegal downloading has become easier than ever. However, I believe there are ways to reduce and ultimately eliminate these types of activities.

First, the government and our Internet providers must take an active role in preventing piracy. In order to prevent people from illegally downloading media, we must prevent them from reaching websites that promote such actions.  The government should monitor suspicious websites, and block the sites that are found to be aiding people in the illegal download of media. Internet providers should also be able to monitor suspicious activity on their networks. Internet providers can then report or block suspicious sites, or suspend people’s Internet service as a punishment for the illegal download of media.

Another option involves the entertainment industry, celebrities, and famous musical artists. I believe people can be influenced if they are made aware of the seriousness of their actions. Through the use of PSAs and other commercials, people in the music industry can raise awareness about the illegal downloading of media. If people see their favorite celebrities asking them to help stop media piracy, maybe they will be influenced to make a stand.

Finally, media companies such as YouTube, Netflix, and Hulu should create security measures that prevent the illegal download of media. If these companies were able to create codes that prevented the copying of media, our piracy problem would be solved. Millions of people use these companies to illegally download and share media. By encrypting their media, these companies would be better protecting themselves and their content providers from piracy.