So what’s the suit all about? Well, it isn’t aimed at Google Music, so have no fears there. Rather the two organizations are aiming at the search portion of Google. The main reason Google exists in the first place. They claim that Google doesn’t prioritize their search results to focus on legal music downloading sites but rather on illegal file sharing locations.
IFPI wants to force Google to censor the links it provides in a typical search result from returning any sites that host or distribute illegal copyrighted content. Google has repeatedly denied the allegations that they purposefully return such sites, but rather return results based on the consumers search criteria.
“Google continues to fail to prioritize legal music sites over illegal sites in search results, claiming that its algorithm for search results is based on the relevance of sites to consumers,”
If these two entities manage to take the suit to court, it would be based on competition law and argue that Google prioritizes illegal sites and is guilty of antitrust practices. The entertainment industry is on board and is suggesting that all search engines adopt a Voluntary Code of Practice to de-list popular file sharing sites, mostly torrent sites. Instead, direct all search returns to legal locations where users can buy the music legally.
I have no personal issues about buying music if I like it, but when I don’t get to hear the whole CD I can’t make that judgment call. All to often I have purchased a CD in the past because of one song on the radio, to find out the rest of the album sucked. This is one thing that Google Music is doing right. Allowing consumers to listen to the first part of every song on an album before purchasing, and then allowing you to share the whole thing with your friends to prompt them to buy it. I refrain from downloading music illegally and have personally switched to streaming services like Spotify. I get way more music, spend WAY less money and get to listen to what ever I want. It still supports the artists in some fashion and is legal.
The pros and cons of piracy will forever and always be a hot topic of debate. Whether downloading a few a tracks, a movie or an app is right or wrong all comes down to personal choices and feelings. Do you guys draw an imaginary line between what pirated material is OK while other material isn’t? Is snagging a couple of songs you like from a record that made $30 million in sales OK in your mind while grabbing a copy of a $0.99 cent game for your phone terrible? Do you pirate to see if spending what little money you have goes to the right people and places. Let us know how you feel in the comments below.
Source: Electonista
