MUSIC AND MOVIE PIRACY

 

Read and memorize the following words:

counterfeit — поддельный

have increased significantly — значительно увеличились

estimates — расчеты, оценка

rather — скорее

virtual jukebox — виртуальный проигрыватель

file-sharing programs — программы обмена файлами

decade — десятилетие

annual losses worldwide — ежегодные потери во всем мире

to grow — возрастать

entertainment industry — индустрия развлечений

due to — из-за

equipment — оборудование

free of charge — бесплатно

to distribute files — распределять файлы

broadband connection — широкополосное соединение

virtual jukebox — виртуальное устройство автоматической смены дисков

burned to DVD — записанный на DVD

become available — стать доступным

before release — до выпуска

 

Music piracy has become an important issue since the turn of the century. As the Internet has grown, sales of counterfeit CDs through online auctions, Web sites, newsgroups, spam, and other channels have increased significantly. The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) estimates that 1 billion counterfeit CDs were sold in 2002 and 1.7 billion discs in 2003. Although sales of counterfeit CDs fell to 1.2 billion in 2004, this may have been because of a growth in the use of file-sharing programs. Rather than paying for counterfeit discs, users may prefer to download music free of charge and create their own CDs. Music can also be downloaded freely from newsgroups, Web sites, and other services.

The problem of music piracy has been compounded by the practice of distributing files in a highly compressed format. For instance, the well-known MP3 format can allow more than 200 tracks to be stored on a single CD. These formats also make it quick and easy to download files; a broadband connection enables a whole album to be downloaded in just a few minutes. Playing music downloaded from the Internet is also simple, since Windows and other operating systems arrive complete with powerful media players. If users dislike these programs, numerous alternatives are available free of charge, allowing almost any computer to be turned into a virtual jukebox. It is also possible to play music away from a computer with the use of portable MP3 players, most regular DVD players, some hi-fi systems, or special radio transmitters that “stream” music from a computer to a receiver in another room. Movie piracy has also grown steadily over the past decade. The Motion Picture Association of America 8 estimates that the annual losses worldwide due to movie piracy grew from 2.2 billion in 1997 to $3.5 billion in 2002. The MPAA also estimates that the U.S. entertainment industry loses $3.5 billion each year due to movie piracy—and this figure does not include losses due to Internet piracy.

File-sharing programs, newsgroups, and other Internet services have also had an impact on movie piracy. Like music files, movies can be compressed to relatively small sizes, usually without any noticeable loss of quality. Formats such as DivX and Xvid allow entire movies to fit on a single CD. Movies can be played back on a personal computer, standalone media player, or on some domestic DVD players. It is also possible to convert a downloaded movie into other formats so that it can be used with other equipment or burned to DVD.

Like crackers, organized groups of rippers compete with each other to become the first to release a movie. This means that new movies are often available for download within hours of theatrical release. In some cases, movies can become available months before release.

 

Questions:

What do you know aboutmusic piracy? What is the main reason of it?

How many counterfeit CDs were sold in 2002?

Is it simple and free of charge to download music from the Internet? Why?

How MP3s can compound the problem of music piracy?

Why has movie piracy also grown steadily over the past decade?

Have you ever tried to download a movie before release?

UNIT 5

WEB DESIGN