13th May

File sharing

Who buys DVDs or CDs these days? Of course, many download music through iTunes or Amazon, legally purchasing a data copy of the work. However, other individuals have quit making any purchases. They instead turn to illegal downloads via person-to-person networks on the Internet.

Movie and music companies claim that downloads significantly reduce their profits. Once a movie has been watched, the majority of viewers won't watch it again. In other words, they'll spend their hard-earned cash elsewhere. The same holds true of music. However, the movie and music industry continue to thrive, mostly because people who download thus sample other work. In fact, many outside the industry suggest that file sharing has reinvigorated the entertainment industry.

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Preview the lesson material:

Warm Up: Discuss the question with your partner for five minutes.

1. Have you ever downloaded movies or music? Do you know people who have?

Comprehension Questions: Answer the questions before/after your read the article.

1. What information isn't true?
              a. many people download music legally
              b. fewer people spend their money these days
              c. file sharing may have reinvigorated the entertainment industry
              d. all of the above
2. What best describes the opinion of the author?
              a. supportive of downloading
              b. someone who thinks money is important
              c. supportive of the entertainment's industry's concerns
              d. someone who has reinvigorated the entertainment industry

Discuss: Discuss these questions with a partner. Remember to support your answers.

1. Why do people illegally download movies and music? Please explain.
2. Should people who illegally download be punished? Why/not?
3. Can you think of any reasons that file sharing should be legal?

Illegal downloads  click here

Summary

29 May 2009

Around seven million people in the UK are involved in illegal downloads at huge cost to the economy - but changing attitudes is going to be tough. A report warns that criminalising people who download illegally may not be the right course.

Reporter:
Rory Cellan-Jones

7m people in the UK download illegally at huge cost to the economy

Report

The report for a body advising the government on __________looks at __________    __________ to illegal downloading. Researchers found 1.3 million people online on just one file-sharing network on a weekday and worked out that over a year, they were getting free __________ to material worth __________ pounds.

The report says seven million people who download illegally in the UK can't all be students, older people must also be__________. But it says there's __________ about what is or is not illegal, and the fact that so much on the internet is free only adds to the __________.

The report warns the government that__________ downloaders could have huge economic costs and might not even work.

Rory Cellan-Jones, BB
C

Listening: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HshZru2exqw

Listening:  online music sales

Write a presentation: Flip a coin to decide whether to argue for or against free file sharing then prepare a presentation defending your position