Scenario 10 Kevin has just purchased the latest video game, Too Fast '22. He and his friends enjoy playing games on the computer. His best friend Vince also likes to play video games, but doesn't have the money to buy the latest games. Kevin decides to be a good friend and give a copy of the game to Vince. The following scenario was retrieved from: Ribble, M., Digital Citizenship in Schools (2nd Ed.), 2011, p. 93. ISBN: 978-1-56484-301-2. Response Kevin's action here is inappropriate because copying and giving away copies of a video game is illegal. The license he acquired when purchasing the game allow him to play the game on his computer, not to copy and distribute it, regardless of if he is making money off the copies or not. Video games, like movies and music, is protected by copyrights and laws against this sort of behavior. If Kevin felt that bad about Vince not being able to afford to purchase the game, his best course of action would be in have him over so he can play it on his computer. The video games industry has become increasingly better at preventing/combating such behaviors, to such extent that, in some cases, you can't even lend one of your friends a game you have for one that he has like many of us probably did growing up. Now if you are not a "gamer" simply substitute the game for a movie or a music CD, two scenarios which I would argue are way more common. In your opinion was Kevin's action wrong? Should Vince accept the copy? How else could Kevin have been a good friend to Vince? Why do so many people engage in this type of behavior? What are the effects of such behaviors? Please take two minutes to participate in an anonymous survey by clicking here I am really looking forward to read your comments/opinions on this topic! Mat | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Technology use scenario #10 - Video Game (movie/music) Piracy + 2 min anonymous survey
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Great inclusion of a survey Mat. It's an interesting topic because I think most of us at one point or another have copied music or other copyright-protected files. There's certainly increased awareness out there about this topic now than ever before because as a society we are all becoming much more literate in the digital world and we all want our work, files and contributions recognized and protected from piracy.
ReplyDeleteDear Mat,
ReplyDeleteI think you really hit the nail on the head with your response. Anything that is illegal shouldn't be done, regardless of how much money his friend had or if he was trying to help him out.
There has definitely been progress to fixing this problem in the future as the new XBOX One charges you $10 just to use an old game on your system so it will become more difficult for friends to either copy or use other friends disks.
Cheers,
Andrew B
Great post Mat,
ReplyDeleteI would definitely take your side with this issue. Crimes are crimes no matter who is involved and who benefits. This type of criminal activity will hopefully diminish in the next few years with all the precautions people are taking nowadays.
Cheers,
Andrew B