Kids justify illegal downloads, study finds

European Commission survey finds that while kids are aware of legal, security risks of using P2P software illegally, they rationalize it.

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[ralahinn1]

Let's face it, Everyone Justifies Illegal Downloads

If companies didn't want people to download their products(however they do it) therewould be a more concentrated program to insure security for it. Not everyone would have the time or the inclination to hack into a well secured program.
Most of the companies make it easy for a person to download something, then others find it, and download it without checking if it's "legal" or not. Most places I go to, I just assume that what I download(as long as it doesn't have a virus) is safe and legal, and I don't usually check for disclaimers, unless it's clearly stated on a site and the first thing I see.

[Dr_Zinj]

RIAA suing parents is Unconstitutional

Not to mention just plain wrong.

When a child destroys property, the parent is responsible for restitution. Only in EXTREMELY rare cases is a parent expected to also reimburse for loss of services due to the property being unusable from the time of destruction to the time of replacement.

Now because downloads do not destroy any property, the only thing the artist is losing is income gained from their services (song). Remove the recording of the song from the person, and that removes the service gained from it, and removes the loss of any income. In NO case should a parent EVER be charged more than $500 as a civil fine for their child's illegal downloading of music, i.e. receipt of stolen goods.

Of course it's a completely different ball of wax if the child in question is doign large-scale distribution of the illegal downloads.

[Marcus Westrup]

Is it surprising?

Companies justify using Root Kits and deceptive advertising.
Governments justify spying on people (and other misdeeds) in the name of security.
Religions justify discrimination because "It's what God wants".
Parents justify cheating on taxes.

Kids just do as they see others do; so why Wouldn't they justify piracy?

[gonzodex]

excellent points Marcus

Your comments about govt spying, companies deceiving customers, parents cheating on taxes, etc. Exactly.

What do we expect from our kids when every fabric of our society is painted with deception?

[jerseyrich]

Not all religions...

I am a Christian. I have faith in my LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ.

There are many false prophets and misleaders as predicted in the Bible by Jesus, but I believe thay anyone who accepts Christ as his Lord and Savior will be saved, regardless of color or race.

God Bless You!

[drdoolittle2800]

Not Surprising At All!

Good for you, Marcus! That has to be one of the most interesting and thought-provoking comments I've read in a long time.

You bring out the glaring problem - and error of our ways: we reap what we sow.

It's easy to see lousy leadership in someone like a Michael Vick, who has everything and amounts to nothing. But, you have pointed the finger at all adults! Simple, but very effective.

Well done, Marcus!

[skeptik]

Listen up record companies:

"claims of harm inflicted on artists lack credibility; and DVDs and CDs are simply too expensive."

Everything the industry has been saying for years lacks credibility... how did they not think this was going to hurt them?
People have been complaining about pricing for a very long time now... again, surprised that people have found a way around it?

The best fight against piracy?
Fair prices, quality product, reasonable expectations about fair-use.
Most people don't want inferior illegal product... but given the two choices it's the lesser of two evils.

[Russell McOrmond]

Frustrating...

I find these types of surveys frustrating. I suspect that just like the invalid statistics from the BSA, this study didn't take into account the differences between perfectly legal authorized downloading/sharing and unauthorized downloading/sharing. It is perfectly legal to share appropriately licensed software and multimedia, such as Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) and Creative Commons licensed music and movies.

The largest component of the BSA's so-called "piracy statistics" is their under-estimation of the use of FLOSS.

That said, it frustrates me that people will infringe software copyright rather than switching to perfectly legal FLOSS alternatives. I have no copyright infringing software on any of my computers, and only a tiny amount of non-FLOSS.

http://flora.ca/floss
http://digital-copyright.ca

[drdoolittle2800]

It's About Children

Russell, you do not write like a young person. Your thoughts show the workings of a mind that's been "around the block a few times" already! That's a compliment, by the way.

Remember, the survey (and that is incorrect - it is a poll. A Random Sample Survey is a bona fide scientific tool) focused on children in Europe.

If that includes you, then my apologies and my compliments! You're a gifted young person then.

[ayteebee]

Great.

So a "major" European Union Commission has discovered something that anybody with half a brain cell could have told you for free.

Catch up, people.