Week 4 - Devaluation Versus Validation

Consider one of the tactics outlined in the article. Provide examples from your own experience and research. Examine the validity, importance and effects of the arguments and the tactics used in the debates over piracy, file-sharing, copying and remix culture. This can include music, movie, television, fashion, art, software, design and other industries. 

 

l  Cover-up VS exposure;

l  Devaluation VS Validation;

l  Interpretation VS Reinterpretation;

l  Official channels versus mobilizations;

l  Intimidation versus Resistance

 

Globalisation witnesses tremendous advancement in technology and encourages sharing of music, which has been claimed by the music industry as “piracy” adversely affecting them. Grassman notes that “music piracy doesn’t just include file sharing: it also includes the download and distribution of any music without the permission of the copyright holder”. Indeed, Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing services such as Bit torrent, Emule and file-sharing sites such as Sogou has made file-sharing easily accessible. 





Sogou, one of the largest Chinese music-sharing sites., where you may download music at your fingertips



 

Facing a loss in sales and influence, the music industry makes use of devaluation to deter the general public from illegal access to music files and TV programme, by “labeling file-sharers as thieves, pirates, and criminals” (Martin Moore & Salter 2010). In Hong Kong, IFPI Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Customs and Excise Department has worked bilaterally on extensive print and television commercials, threatening that illegal downloading and sharing are exploiting and diminishing the music industry. Devaluation is to a somehow valid as the file-sharers have really violated the copyright laws, and it is important for the showbiz industry to claim their patent and intellectual property rights. Yet, the effectiveness of such devaluation remains doubtful. Most of my friends, as music downloaders, claim such devaluation ineffective, because the convenience and benefit of downloading and enjoying the music outweighs the derogatory label attached to them (unless the devaluation ads specify their personal details), downloading encourages mingle of different music, and most importantly, they see sharing and downloading of music as a tool to oppose corporate imperialism (i.e. record companies), which sells CDs and Concert ticket in terribly high prices. The only achievement of the devaluation is merely rendering the relationship between record companies and the general public worsening.

 

Compared with devaluation, validation, which “[raises] the status of the person involved” (Martin Moore & Salter 2010) is more valid. It recognises the contribution of singers, composers and record companies to jointly produce high-quality pieces for appreciation. It is important to validate and acknowledge their efforts. This may highlight the positive act of maintaining the “bread and butter” of such workers, so that they can continually work for more sophisticated outputs. Validation can relieve the hatred between music industry and the general public, and should be referenced as a way out to tackle the complex problem of music sharing online.

 

References

Martin, B, Moore, C and Salter, C. 2010, ‘Sharing music files: tactics of a challenge to the industry’, First Monday, vol. 15, no. 12.

 

Grassman, J 2010, ‘Music piracy: the methods and madness’ Wall Street Journal, 2 November, Retrieved 25 August 2013, < http://communities.washingtontimes.com/neighborhood/business-being-diva/2010/nov/2/music-piracy/>.