The actual definition of piracy has changed in the last few years with advancements in technology. Before the term piracy would have involved such things as canons, the high seas, treasure chests, and pirates; today, though, the meaning of piracy has changed and refers to illegally duplicating and distributing copyrighted sound recordings.
According to RIAA.com, PIRACY involves four specifc forms:
1. Pirated recordings are unauthorized duplications of sound recordings only.
2. Counterfeit recordings are unauthorized recordings of sound and packaging. This includes the original artwork, label, trademarks, and all other packaging.
3. Bootleg recordings, more commonly referred to as underground, are unauthorized copies of live concerts or musical broadcast on radio or television.
4. Online piracy, unauthorized uploading of copyrighted sound recordings. This also entails making the recording available to the public or downloading it from an internet site.
One might say that the music industry, the artists, the producers, the writers, etc. are making tons of money every year--even with piracy. But if you take a look at the facts from the RIAA, you'll see the story changes just a bit. Everyone loses something from piracy.
What are the losses?
about $4.5 billion a year worldwide
$1 million a day in the U.S.
How does everyone lose in the game of piracy?
*People involved in piracy lose because they will get caught sooner or later.
*Consumers lose because piracy causes the cost to buy a cd up. And generally, the sound quality on a piracted copy is very poor.
*Record companies lose because 85% of the recordings released generate less than enough money to cover their costs. They depend on the 15% that do.
*The artists lose because they don't receive their royalties they've earned. This is their livelihood and their way of life.
