Lopetegui+Francis

LAB

The motivation for this topic, Software piracy, has to do with the digital revolution that has occurred over the last two decades. As a computer science student, software is a very important commodity in my field. Software has been pirated for a long time, and has steadily gain popularity over time with the proliferation of the personal computer. There was a time where it was not illegal to copy software. However, this was when software programs were still in its infancy and law makers didnt recognize software as original work. And thus, were not under the protect of the Copyright Act until the last 70's and early 80's. This has changed, the majority of people, if not all, recognize that it is an illegal act to pirate software. But, people still do it regularly. Not by the common thief or mob bosses, but by normal everyday people. I cant think of any law that has obviously been ignore by the public as the Copyright law. Do this make us, yes i am guilty of it too, all criminals? Should there be an attempt by the authorities to convict offenders, and laws that could send these people to prison. Is it like stealing a car, or robbing a store? In this paper I attempt to look at both extremes of the argument and try to analyze the their arguments. Provide support or counter points to arguments made to support my argument that Piracy is not the same as thief, but it is an immoral act.

CSC260 ISSUE ANALYSIS WEBSITE

 * Critical Analysis: Michael Nieto**

First of all your website seems to be very well structured and organized. i like the simple look where its easy for one to read and navigate. Good use of simple fonts, background colour, and images as it is very appealing and user friendly. The topic you have chosen is very interesting as it is an ongoing issue in today's society. It can also relate to my issue where the music industry being affected by the Internet in terms of piracy. the use of software is very crucial when using computers. Many illegal copies of computer software such as Adobe products or Windows operating systems are being distributed illegally which can affect many companies. However, you are right about everyday people being criminals since no one follows the copyright laws. I am also guilty of copying illegal software and distributing it to people I know but in this case it really does not make us thieves. Despite all the copyright infringements, downloading and stealing are two different things. “Stealing would be physically taking ones property leaving them with nothing. Downloading would be the act of copying ones property where they still remain the same only copied without consent” (Macro.Org). In a logical perspective downloading software from the Internet or distributing it would be harmless as opposed to a real criminal act.

[|"The Ethics of Music Sharing." Macro.Org. Marco Arment, 2/12/2006. Web. 15 Mar 2010.]
 * Reference**