Online pirates could lose Net access - 3 views

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  #1 Magdaleine on 19 Aug 09

   

  http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20090819-161932.html
  
  THE authorities are studying a new way to pull the plug on unauthorised downloads: terminating Internet access of hardcore pirates who refuse to quit despite repeat warnings.
  
  If such a law is adopted, the pirate could get three warnings if caught downloading illegally. Do it again and the authorities will get the Internet service provider (ISP) to cut off Internet access.
  
  Commonly known as the 'three strikes' law, it is already in force in South Korea to deter users found downloading pirated materials, typically through their ISPs.
  
  Ethical Question:
  Is it right for the authorities to get the ISP to cut off the Internet access totally or should other punishments be used? Is cutting the internet access of the pirates a breach of the personal (negative) rights? However, considering the pirates have first breach an ethical issue, should it be considered ethically correct to punish them in such a way?
  
  Ethical Problem:
  The principle of Ultilitarianism which means it gives priority to reaching a certain end of good that require us to make moral decisions by means of a rational,objective cost/benefit analysis. By illegal downloading or swapping of files online, puts across a dilemna at stake because one side of the coin, the pirate gets to enjoy the file, yet the otherside, the file was downloaded without the consent of the copyrighter.
  
  However, should it be decided, like in this case, that the pirates are downloading the files illegally, negative rights implies that one is free from external interference in one's affairs. Is the state's interference a interference into the negative rights?

   

  <div class="cArrow"> </div><div class="cContentInner"><a href="http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20090819-161932.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://digital.asiaone.com/Digital/News/Story/A1Story20090819-161932.html</a> <br /> <br /> THE authorities are studying a new way to pull the plug on unauthorised downloads: terminating Internet access of hardcore pirates who refuse to quit despite repeat warnings. <br /> <br /> If such a law is adopted, the pirate could get three warnings if caught downloading illegally. Do it again and the authorities will get the Internet service provider (ISP) to cut off Internet access. <br /> <br /> Commonly known as the 'three strikes' law, it is already in force in South Korea to deter users found downloading pirated materials, typically through their ISPs. <br /> <br /> Ethical Question: <br /> Is it right for the authorities to get the ISP to cut off the Internet access totally or should other punishments be used? Is cutting the internet access of the pirates a breach of the personal (negative) rights? However, considering the pirates have first breach an ethical issue, should it be considered ethically correct to punish them in such a way? <br /> <br /> Ethical Problem: <br /> The principle of Ultilitarianism which means it gives priority to reaching a certain end of good that require us to make moral decisions by means of a rational,objective cost/benefit analysis. By illegal downloading or swapping of files online, puts across a dilemna at stake because one side of the coin, the pirate gets to enjoy the file, yet the otherside, the file was downloaded without the consent of the copyrighter. <br /> <br /> However, should it be decided, like in this case, that the pirates are downloading the files illegally, negative rights implies that one is free from external interference in one's affairs. Is the state's interference a interference into the negative rights?</div>

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