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Should governments take a stronger stance against piracy, or is it a matter of personal responsibility?

Colby Simmens

Towards the end of the 20th century, the creation of the internet marked a significant turning point in global communication and the way we consume or share information. However, the internet's freedom has also brought about many challenges, one of which is piracy. Piracy is an illegal act of stealing creative works such as music, films, books, and much more. It has continued to be an issue plaguing industries that rely heavily on these creative works. This issue raises an essential question - should governments take a stronger stance against piracy, or is it a matter of personal responsibility?

Piracy is a massive issue that must be addressed, not only because of the negative impact it has on the creative industries that rely on it but also because it is an illegal act that should not be accepted. Creative works take a lot of resources such as time, money, and effort to produce. Piracy undermines the creators' efforts and has the potential to discourage them from producing more content. Furthermore, it is often argued that piracy ultimately encourages mediocrity as it provides a platform for substandard works to flourish, thus lowering the standard of creativity.

Governments have a duty to enforce the law and protect citizens' rights, including the intellectual property rights of creators. Therefore, it is the government's responsibility to take a more robust stance against piracy. This can be achieved through more effective law enforcement measures, including the implementation of stricter penalties and fines for those caught in the act of piracy. This will not only discourage people from getting involved in piracy but also serve as a warning to those already involved in piracy.

However, it is also important to note that pirating content is a matter of personal responsibility. Many people engage in piracy because they find their favorite content too expensive to purchase legally or believe that piracy offers a better user experience. Although this position may be understandable, it does not make piracy legal. As individuals, we must take responsibility for our actions. We must make ethical and responsible decisions when it comes to consuming creative works. We can do this by supporting legal ways of getting access to creative works, such as paid subscriptions to music streaming services, video-on-demand platforms, and book publishing websites, among others.

In conclusion, the fight against piracy should be viewed from different perspectives. The government should play its part in enforcing the law and protecting intellectual property rights, but it is also the responsibility of individuals to make ethical and responsible decisions. Piracy threatens the economic and moral aspects of creativity that make content production possible, hurting both industries and creators by stealing their hard work. If we want to live in a society where creativity thrives, we must act with responsibility and respect for the creativity of others.