Chapter 1. Are You a Digital Pirate?

 

At this precise moment, movies and other visual entertainment works are in ever-multiplying numbers swarming illegally throughout the so-called file-sharing sites (a more accurate description would be “file-stealing” sites)….There is one truth that sums up the urgency of this request to Congress….if you cannot protect what you own, you don't own anything.[1]

 
 --Jack Valenti, president and CEO, Motion Picture Association of America
 

It is essential to understand that copyright in the American tradition was not meant to be a “property” right as the public generally understands property. It was originally a narrow federal policy that granted a limited trade monopoly in exchange for universal use and access…copyright ...

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