local artists vs mainstream artists

The issue of copyright and intellectual property is definitely an interesting one, as it is so controversial and it is often possible to understand both sides of the equation. The lecture asked the question of whether pirating material from a mainstream artist is more ethically acceptable than pirating from a local or independent artist, and which to that I would agree yes, it is more ethically acceptable. Well in today’s society I believe it has become more ethically or more morally acceptable. This is because pirating in general has become somewhat a social norm, as so many are doing it, and as a result no one really questions it as criminal. Pirating from local artists however I would argue is less socially acceptable, as there is somewhat more social stigma about pirating from local artists than mainstream artists, although it of course still happens. This is a result of many factors, for example, in New Zealand there are many campaigns that campaign for New Zealanders not pirating local material and maintaining local industries, especially music.

This is consistent with Kohlberg’s theory, a theory which I have studied before in another paper. This theory argues, most adults judge morality based on social norms and expectations, such as law and order, rather than true innate moral reasoning. In terms of copyright I think this theory fits perfectly as it is seen as a social norm to pirate from mainstream artists and it is also somewhat seen as a social norm or expectation not to pirate from local artists. This theory argues many judge morality of copyright based on social issues than moral or ethical responsibility. In other words, there is less feeling that artists deserve to get paid for their work out of moral decency and more the pressure to do the right thing socially, doing what friends are doing or not getting in trouble with the law. Although this is a pessimist view of humans, that we do things based on social norms not the greater moral good, I think it is interesting to consider especially in relation to copyright of mainstream or local artists or even when considering copyright in general.

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