open source software: so i say thankyou for the music

The Open Source Initiative (2007) defines open source software to be “a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in.” Though this is a valid explanation, open source is not all rainbows and puppies, there are certainly downsides. Let’s consider the recorded music industry…

Incredibly popular programs such as Kazaa and Limewire allow users to illegally download copyrighted music completely free of charge. Despite being considered a criminal offence, illegal download is still, by far, the most common form of music acquisition. According to a recent report by Music Industry Piracy Investigations, “tens of billions of illegal files were swapped in 2007”. They also report that “the ratio of unlicensed tracks downloaded to legal tracks sold is about 20 to 1”. (MIPI, 2008)

As we are all aware (and are reminded by these statistics), piracy is a colossal thorn in the side of the modern music industry. Open source software allows users to create and share programs such as these that cheat others out of rightfully earned revenue. Technically this is stealing. Most of us understand and respect the fact that stealing is wrong and against the law yet millions indulge in the act of music piracy.

Why?

I believe several factors contribute to the ‘who cares’ mentality. The lack of accountability for one – there are very few consequences for people who download illegally: in most cases the worst that occurs is a virus or two.

Secondly, I believe that the more common this practice becomes, the less ethically opposed people are to it. Music piracy has simply become the norm.

Finally, the fact that it is very hard to imagine who we could possibly be hurting when we engage in this behaviour. When ‘the music industry’ brings to mind cocky rappers drinking champagne out of diamond studded flutes and rolling around in Egyptian silk and wads of cash… it is easy to turn a blind eye to the fact that music piracy is stealing and stealing is wrong.

Despite best efforts by companies such as Apple to provide legal alternatives to music piracy, use of open source software such as Limewire and Kazaa is continuing to increase. There is no doubt that a culture exists that supports the notion that music piracy is acceptable, commonplace and harmless. Until people face punishment for the crime, I honestly do not think anything will change.


---


Music Industry Piracy Investigation. 2008. IFPI Digital Music Report http://www.mipi.com.au/reports/musicreport.htm (accessed May 8, 2008)

Open Source Software Initiative. 2007. Open Source Software http://www.opensource.org/(accessed May 8, 2008)