Copyright Scenarios

Some students created web sites so that others could obtain copies of software and music can be easily distributed.

Is this violating copyright?

Students seem to have an impulse to share all sorts of work, especially music and software, when they can save a dime or two. These particular students created web sites just so others could obtain copies of software and music for free.

It is indeed a popular thing among our students to find and share software and music. These particular college students created web sites dedicated to the purposes of making copies without permission. While this “Robin Hood” syndrome sounds noble to students around the world, the fact is, they are skimming profits from the providers.

Interestingly, the two different students received opposing verdicts. One was found guilty of copyright infringement, while the other was found not guilty, primarily because he had not acted for profit. As the capacity of legal authorities to detect and follow up on technological innovations for copyright violations, it becomes increasingly risky to engage in this freeware/shareware activity.

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