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Compressed Audio Files May Involve Copyright Violations Within the last two years, MP3-compressed audio files (more commonly, MP3s) have spread like wildfire throughout the online community, leaving in their wake a host of copyright issues and legal questions. MP3 is a data compression specification usually applied to digital audio files. It promises excellent audio quality for everyday listening and miniaturizes the space required to store digital audio. The data format owes most of its fame and notoriety to its applications in popular music distribution. Widely available software has made it easy to compress tracks on an audio CD, copyrighted or not, into MP3 files, which in turn can be uploaded, downloaded, and heard by all of the Internet. Large networks, like those in campuses and labs, have proven to be ideal spawning grounds for unauthorized MP3 distribution. With a high-speed network of its own, Berkeley Lab has not been spared from MP3 mania, says Jim Rothfuss, Lab Computer Protection Program manager. Using the Lab's "Bro" network monitoring system, Rothfuss is able to detect the kinds of files being transported through the Lab's network. And according to what he's seen flowing across the network, illegal MP3 downloading does indeed take place around the lab. The Lab has proper use policies and regulations that essentially amount to this: LBNL machines should only be used for Laboratory business and employees are responsible for ensuring that they abide by the Lab's computer use policy, as well as copyright laws. Rothfuss is even more wary of attempted break-ins on the network, which are often MP3- or piracy-related. He says there are plenty of hackers eager to provide illegal MP3s and "warez" (pirated and/or cracked software) by establishing distribution sites on the Lab's computers. Rothfuss believes keeping the Lab's machines free of MP3 download sites is now especially important. The music recording industry blames illegal MP3s for slumping profits since 1996, and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), which represents recording artists across the country, is aggressively pursuing the problem, similar to campaigns of the software industry. Rothfuss warns "The Lab will not tolerate any association with illegal activities." Of course, not all applications of MP3 are illegal. Many sites offer legally produced music files, and big-name artists are beginning to offer free demos of their music through MP3. Outside of music, MP3 can be used to compress any sort of digital audio. For example, voice recordings can be compressed into files that can be feasibly sent through e-mail messages. For more information on MP3 and related legal issues, visit these web sites: RIAA: http://www.riaa.com Legal MP3 music:
Wired News' MP3 coverage: http://www.wired.com/news/news/mpthree/ Business Software Alliance Anti-Piracy: http://www.nopiracy.com |
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