This document discusses file sharing and the debate around whether it constitutes stealing or sharing. It notes that file sharing through unofficial websites is common, though buying from online stores is also prevalent. The document asks about arguments for stopping file sharing due to stealing content, and arguments that file sharing is not a problem. It also asks about reasons internet service providers (ISPs) oppose the government wanting ISPs to cut off users downloading copyrighted content illegally.

1. 6.2 Sharing or Stealing?

2. How common are these ways of getting music and
films, compared with ten years ago?
 Buying or renting CDs, DVDs, Blu-ray discs, etc.
 Paying for downloads from online media stores
 Watching videos on the Internet
 Using unofficial file-sharing websites
 Getting copies of things from friends

3. Note down TWO:
 Arguments why file sharing should be stopped
 Arguments why file sharing isn’t a problem
 Reasons why ISPs are unhappy with the
government’s idea

4. Unit 6 Track 2.9
 1. What does ISPs stand for?
 2. What does the government want ISPs to do?
 3. How can we put this statement “file sharing is just another
word for stealing” to make it sound simpler to understand?
 4. What are the files that people download?
 5. Why is file sharing “a form of advertisement”?
 6. If people stopped file sharing completely, would it lead to a
big increase in sales for the music industries? Why?
 7. What is the music companies’ reason in saying that they
“need to make a healthy profit”?
 8. State 2 arguments why the ISPs is so reluctant to take action
against file sharing.

5. ANSWER
 1. What does ISPs stand for?
- Internet Service Providers
 2. What does the government want ISPs to do?
- To cut off people who download films and music
illegally.
 3. How can we put this statement “file sharing is just another
word for stealing” to make it sound simpler to understand?
- You wouldn’t go into your local shop and steal a CD or
a DVD, so why is it OK to do it online?

6. ANSWER
 4. What are the files that people download?
- Things you couldn’t buy even if you wanted to
such as videos of concerts and TV programmes
which aren’t out on DVD.
 5. Why is file sharing “a form of advertisement”?
- People can use file-sharing sites to decide whether
they like a particular album or not. If they do, then
they’ll go out and buy it legally.

7. ANSWER
 6. If people stopped file sharing completely, would it lead
to a big increase in sales for the music industries? Why?
- No, it wouldn’t. Because historically, music prices
have been too high and most people would be happy
to buy legal music if the prices were lower.
 7. What is the music companies’ reason in saying that they
“need to make a healthy profit”?
- So they can invest in new, young musicians.

8. ANSWER
 8. State 2 arguments why the ISPs are so reluctant to take
action against file sharing.
- (1) ISP is a business. By doing so, they would cut
off their own customers.
- (2) Finding out who’s sharing files illegally takes
up a lot of time and money because there’re lots of
legal file sharing too.