![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
![]() |
What's SOUNDBYTING and why are you here? Fair questions. Well, we're here because of the Internet, the World Wide Web and the incredible explosion of digital technology in our homes, at school and on the job. It's a great thing, no doubt about it. The Web's changing our lives in all kinds of remarkable ways. But even with all the new ideas and opportunities of the online world, there are some problems. One of them is how easy it's become to copy other people's creative work -- whether it's words, images or sound -- without their permission. In fact, that's the problem with MP3 sites -- the technology to compress music recordings into sound files that can be easily uploaded and downloaded. MP3 sites make it possible for anyone on the Web to copy individual songs or even whole albums into their own computer system for free. But unless the creators of these sites get permission from the individuals or companies who own the copyrights to the music, they're breaking the law. So is everyone who downloads a file. That's what we call SOUNDBYTING. The SOUNDBYTING site and campaign is an effort to explain the copyright laws and how they specifically apply to music on the Internet. But more importantly, the goal is to help computer-savvy music fans understand the harm that results when an artist's creative work is reproduced without permission. It diminishes the work and energy that artists put forth in the creative process. It's a crime. It's against university policies governing use of their servers. And it's unfair to the artists whose work is being copied without permission. Some MP3 devotees say there's no harm in it; it's actually free advertising. If you believe that, we may or may not convince you otherwise. But we're sure going to try. Byte Me | Who We Are | Who We Aren't | Copyright 101 | Top 10 MP3 Myths | The Penalty Box | E-Mail Bag | Byting Back | SOUNDBYTING Home |