In Las Vegas at 8p.m. rap artist Eminem drinks one last beer before he walks on to stage to perform before thousands of screaming fans. For the next hour, he unleashes a barrage of energy through lyrics that will surely be talked about for days, although it is quite apparent, no lives will be significantly changed for the better. Meanwhile, Professor Kite wipes his brow and rests his pen on a stack of college exams. He grins in satisfaction as he checks over the final passing grades, and happily retires to his bedroom knowing that through his underpaid efforts, he has made a difference in the lives of all his students.

Year after year, entertainers are paid mind boggling figures for ideas that do not make a profound difference, nor do they extend much effort. Meanwhile, thousands of middle class people, and the like, dedicate their lives to making the world a better place for mere pennies on the dollar. However, one must understand that massive volume of sales involved with the entertainment industry is why artists make these outrageous checks. It’s a simple case of mathematical equation: the demand for teachers is not as high as a compact disc available to every one, all around the world.

People from around the world, with the help of technology, have banded together for years in an attempt to balance the outrageous prices of entertainment products. But many of these people are unaware that they are contributing to the high costs. These people may feel that they are doing themselves a good deed, when in fact their enjoyment has come at some one else’s expense.

Needless to say, piracy is considered stealing. even if the victim is a multi-million dollar company or artist. With all the confusion about piracy in the media now a days, it is no wonder why countless people participate in this act, ignorant of any wrong doing.

When a pirate downloads the newest computer application, it is a very rare occasion to feel as if a wrong is being done to any one. Obviously it was made for the enjoyment of others, so it is no wonder why this feeling is absent. However, any time a duplication of some one else’s idea is made, the original artists is required by copyright to receive a percentage of any earnings.

To understand the legality involved with piracy, one must first be aware that piracy is a civil matter, not federal, therefore it will not be pursued by the government. However, if your acts are known by the victim company, you may be facing some very serious lawyers. The odds of being sued by a big named company are very unlikely though they increase with every copy produced and distributed illegally.

So, if there is no money being made by the pirated material, how can the artist be getting robbed of his deserved glory? I once took defensive on this issue and my only response was the calm explanation that if I created art, I would want as many people to appreciate it as possible whether they bought my art or downloaded it online.. I would not be concerned with how many people paid me for my efforts. It is apparent throughout my experiences that if some thing is worthy of attention, then payment in any form will be given. Too many artists lose sight of making great works, and pursue this field as a way to become rich, rather than a means of which to express themselves to others. But, this does not give the fans the right to participate in piracy.

JEREMY MARSTON

ENGLISH COMP 2

10/16/04