By Edward Frimpong MUSIC PIRACY

WHAT IS MUSIC PIRACY? Music piracy can be defined as the stealing of music. One scenario could be borrowing a friend's CD and burning a copy for yourself. Also, downloading music from the Internet if the song's royalties are not paid. A positive consequence of stealing music is that you get free music for your own personal enjoyment. You can also profit from piracy. However, more often than not, piracy will result in the negative consequences. Caught pirates are sued and occasionally served with jail terms.

ILLEGAL DOWNLOADING AND SHARING IS STEALING Stealing music is the same as stealing anything else. It is illegal and the consequences are real - for you and for the music. * Stealing music is against the law. * Stealing music betrays the songwriters and recording artists who create it. * Stealing music stifles the careers of new artists and up-and-coming bands. * Stealing music threatens the livelihood of the thousands of working people—from recording engineers to Christian music retailers and their staffs —who are employed in this ministry

EFFECTS OF MUSIC PIRACY ON MUSIC CONSUMER Music piracy doesn’t just affect the music industry, it affects you as well. When you use software that facilitates illegal downloads, you open your computer to unwanted pornography, security breaches, and viruses. Illegal downloading and file-sharing is also subject to federal prosecution. Here are a few facts: * The RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) can sue for as much as $150,000 per song illegally downloaded. * Almost 2000 individuals have been sued by the RIAA for illegally downloading as of March, * More than 400 individuals have settled, paying fines averaging $3000. * The Department of Justice recently announced the creation of the Intellectual Property Task Force, which examines all aspects of how the DOJ handles intellectual property issues.

EFFECTS OF PIRACY ON MUSICIANS The explosion in illegal copying is affecting the entire music community. It has a very real and harmful impact on virtually everyone - from countless musicians, songwriters, performers, producers, recording engineers and others who use music as their platform for ministry.

RIAA The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) is the trade organization that supports and promotes the creative and financial vitality of the major music companies. Its members are the music labels that comprise the most vibrant record industry in the world. RIAA® members create, manufacture and/or distribute approximately 85% of all legitimate recorded music produced and sold in the United States. In support of this mission, the RIAA works to protect the intellectual property and First Amendment rights of artists and music labels; conduct consumer, industry and technical research; and monitor and review state and federal laws, regulations and policies What exactly does the RIAA do? Who does the organization represent?

Ripblock was founded in 2008, and is widely acknowledged as the first affordable anti- piracy service of its kind for the music industry. RipBlock tackles piracy at the root of the problem, by conducting ongoing comprehensive scans of the entire internet, including blogs, forums, torrent sites and file-sharing communities. RipBlock do not use automated bot systems as they have proven ineffective. Most file- sharing websites use URL spoofing, captcha codes, and membership logins which automated searches cannot counter. RipBlock employs a team of specially-trained staff to constantly monitor all our clients' releases, offering the most thorough and efficient anti- piracy solution currently available. RipBlock work on the frontline in the fight against piracy for over 300 clients, and can instantly spot and take action against the ever increasing amount of new file hosts and other technologies as soon as they arise.