More Legitimate Uses Of File Sharing Networks: Course Materials
from the slowly,-but-surely dept
And, now, we have yet another example of how file sharing networks can be used for perfectly legitimate reasons. The famous Berklee College of Music is now offering 80 different lessons as audio or video files on file sharing networks. They're encouraging anyone to download them, under a Creative Commons license. They point out that this was the most efficient way to get that information out there. While some people still insist that offering stuff for free undermines the content owners' ability to make money, Berklee realizes that this actually enhances their reputation while getting more information out there - both of which are strong positives. The article includes a quote from the RIAA which misses the point, saying that they don't mind if people share their own content on file sharing networks. That may be true, but that's not the message they're bringing to politicians or the courts, where they're actively trying to shut down file sharing networks and insisting that their cannot be substantial non-infringing uses of such networks.
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