The Internet and Copyright: Sharing and Copying, What Could Be Easier?

The internet is a vast and wonderful place where many people go to find knowledge, friendship, and sometimes even love. They call the internet the information highway and with good reason. But what happens when the internet we all love so dearly starts becoming a place to infringe upon certain rights?

Lets talk about copyright and what it is. Copyright is a form of protection grounded in the U.S. Constitution and granted by law for original works of authorship fixed in a tangible medium of expression. Copyright covers both published and unpublished works. Copyright, a form of intellectual property law, protects original works of authorship including literary, dramatic, musical, and artistic works, such as poetry, novels, movies, songs, computer software, and architecture. (http://www.copyright.gov/). In short pretty much everything created by an individual, corporation or company is copyrighted work. Such as the movies you go see and the books and CD's you buy.