Essay – Should art and music sharing online be allowed?
Should art and music sharing online be allowed? Essay: Art and music have been classified as intellectual property in legal parlance. As such sharing and distribution of art and music without the authorization of the creator and owner should not be allowed as it can result in criminal offences leading to legal issues. On the other hand, music and art are meant for sharing and public consumption as it is a part of performing arts. Sharing art and music in literary, dramatic, or musical work without the permission of the owner is deemed as copyright infringement as stated by Section 51.
Discussion
Sharing art and music online has been a trend since the digital boom in India in the early 2000s and has reached a pinnacle during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sharing art or music online on digital platforms such as youtube reaches a wider audience as compared to sharing it in tangible forms such as CDs and Canvases. Digital sharing of art or music becomes beneficial for artists and producers alike for a wider reach and consumption of the general public. On the contrary digital sharing of art and music leads to possibilities of plagiarism and piracy, leaving the creator and the owner of the works completely at a loss.
Problems relating to the digital sharing of art and music range from distortion of the original work to defamation of the artist. With advanced technology available very easily to everyone an original work can be easily distorted through editing may lead to defamation of the original artists. Harassing and cyberbullying is a major difficulties faced by artists who share their musical art and visual art. Disgraceful comments on artworks and music have resulted in major internet controversies.
Sharing music and art online has led to an increase in piracy. Once a music file or art file is shared online, the owner and creator lose control over it and it can be circulated illegally by anybody and everybody. Section 65B of the Copyright act deals with Information Rights Management (IRM). This act protects all artists in India from plagiarism and illegal piracy of the works they share online. Persons found guilty can be penalized under section 66 of the information technology act with imprisonment of up to three years in addition to a fine of three lakhs. For instance, the makers of the movie had filed an FIR against the illegal distribution of movies before its official release in theatres through different torrent websites.
Conclusion
To conclude, technological advancements in general and digital sharing, in particular, has become a double-edged sword. On one hand, it enables artists to share their musical and visual works to reach a wider audience in some cases audiences beyond national boundaries, the risks of their works being distorted, plagiarized and defamed are also very high.
FAQs
Q1. Which act protects artists from piracy in India?
Ans: Section 65B of the Copyright act deals with Information Rights Management (IRM). This act protects all artists in India from plagiarism and illegal piracy of the works they share online. Persons found guilty can be penalized under section 66 of the information technology act with imprisonment of up to three years in addition to a fine of three lakhs.
Q2. How has digital sharing helped artists?
Ans: Sharing art and music online has been a trend since the digital boom in India in the early 2000s and has reached a pinnacle during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sharing art or music online on digital platforms such as youtube reaches a wider audience as compared to sharing it in tangible forms such as CDs and Canvases.
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