Posted by: cAmz on: April 20, 2009
TITLE: Intellectual Property: Legal and Moral Challenges of Online File Sharing (Chapter 23)
AMAZON LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Information-Computer-Ethics/dp/0471799599/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1233232091&sr=1-1
QUOTATION: File sharing can be implemented in a variety of storage and distribution models. Current common models are the centralized server-based approach and the distributed peer-to-peer (P2P) networks.
LEARNING EXPECTATIONS:
- I want to know more about Intellectual property.
- I want to know what are the legal and moral challenges of online file sharing.
- I want to distinguish which is better sharing or theft.
- I want to know what secondary liability is.
REACTION:
This chapter talks about more of intellectual property and online file sharing. First, we all know that networks can allow computers, servers, and other devices to talk to each other. There are a number of different types of networks, and it’s important to find the right one to fit your needs so that you don’t waste time and money with one that is too complex for your needs, or one that doesn’t fulfill your needs. And so through network we can say that having peer to peer network connection millions of users
The first generation of peer-to-peer file sharing networks over the Internet had a centralized server system. This system controls traffic amongst the users. The servers store directories of the shared files of the users and are updated when a user logs on. In the centralized peer-to-peer model, a user would send a search to the centralized server of what they were looking for. The server then sends back a list of peers that have the data and facilitates the connection and download. The server-client system is efficient because the central directory is constantly being updated and all users had to be registered to use the program. However, there is only a single point of entry, which could result in a collapse of the network. In addition, it is possible to have out-of-date information or broken links if the server is not refreshed.
The first file-sharing programs on the Internet marked themselves by inquiries to a server, either the data to the download held ready or in appropriate different Peers and so-called Nodes further-obtained, so that one could download there. Two examples were Napster (today using a pay system) and eDonkey2000 in the server version (today, likewise with Overnet and KAD – network decentralized). Another notable instance of peer to peer file sharing, which still has a free version, is Limewire.
LESSON LEARNED:
- “Code is law,” and given the great power of software code as a logical constraint, software providers have a moral obligation to eschew the temptations of writing antiregulatory code.
- “Purposeful, culpable expression and conduct” must be evident in order to impose legal liability under this sensible standard
INTEGRATIVE QUESTIONS:
