Reference no: EM133034344

Ethics in the YouTube Age

Technology has changed our lives in positive ways, but it has also made questionable practices easier to commit. YouTube, for example, is a great source of entertainment. Many of you spend considerable time watching comedians, actors, and consumer-generated videos. You Tube makes an effort to remove unauthorized copyright material, and even warns users that their account may be closed if they ignore such laws. YouTube also offers an authorized music library that enables content providers to insert music selections without fear of legal action. However, there is plenty of material on You Tube that does not meet legal requirements.

Most people consider themselves to be ethical individuals. Students are often very critical of unethical corporations that act solely to satisfy their own needs. However, ethical issues cannot simply be looked at from a convenient lens. Do you consider yourself to be an ethical person? What would you tell a friend if you saw him or her shoplifting? What would you do if you caught a co-worker stealing from your company? You may have strong, clear opinions on those issues, but how many songs and movies have you illegally downloaded?

Gary Fung, the founder of the Vancouver-based internet torrent site iso Hunt, believes that illegal downloading is a legitimate right. He turned this belief into a successful business with more than 1 00 million users who can download TV shows, films, etc. Fung has clearly benefited from the work of others, without paying for the content, and yet he generates millions in advertising revenue for his website. Mr. Fung is now facing a US$150 million fine for copyright infringement and damages. His success caught the attention of the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), which has also pursued similar sites, for instance, Torrent Spy (US$111 million fine). iso Hunt may ultimately share the fate of Napster.

A popular argument that is often used to justify illegal downloading activity is that there are many wealthy artists that earn millions of dollars. However, for every successful star there are thousands of struggling musicians, actors, and artists trying to earn a living. They are not overnight successes. Perhaps your favorite song would have never been written if that artist was not able to make a basic living (from royalties) until that one big hit. Sites like iso Hunt are far more likely to have an impact on an aspiring artist than they are on someone like Lady Gaga or Will Smith. So where do you stand?

Critical Thinking Questions

1. Do you believe that multimillion dollar fines on iso_Hunt and TorrentSpy are fair?

2. Do you believe ethics are a black-and-white issue or do you subscribe to a grey zone?