From Printing Press to Peer-to-Peer: Centuries of ‘Modern’ Media Piracy and the Social Urge for Legal and Illegal Consumption

Abstract

One important observation about convergence and digitalization is the desire to disseminate, communicate and consume popular culture in a broad, open and unfettered atmosphere. Social networking and communication via the Internet generally support this development. Indeed the courts recognize it. The subjects of examination in Chapter 8, twittering, blogging, social networking, etc. (which are representative of the synergetic relationship formed during uploading and downloading), are essentially an end to a means that is firmly embedded in ideals associated with communicative emancipation, empowerment, facilitation, enablement and democratization generally.

Publication without easy access to the product would defeat the social purpose of copyright. (Kaplan, 1966, p. 74)