Amazon.com: Downloading Copyrighted Stuff from the Internet: Stealing or Fair Use? (Issues in Focus Today) (9780766021648): Sherri Mabry Gordon: Books

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 7 Up–This title ventures into murky territory in order to present two sides of the ongoing controversy surrounding the use of the Internet to download copyrighted material. Gordon explains how constantly evolving technology is challenging copyright's condition of fair use, particularly in the area of peer-to-peer (p2p) file-sharing. There is an in-depth look at how Napster, the free music-swapping service that made this type of application popular in the 1990s, caused p2p technology to share other kinds of information, as well. Following the technological and legal history of the issue, separate chapters address the debate about the core problem of copyright protection. Measures for protecting the creator's right to a livelihood include digital encryption, lawsuits against infringers, and better laws. Arguments for file-sharing include freedom of speech, fair use, encouragement of technological innovation, and testimonials by musicians who have gained exposure from the practice. The author presents specific legal action and instances to support each side of the debate and appends source notes, many of which can be accessed electronically. A final chapter looks at recent developments with online music stores, such as iTunes, that offer inexpensive music downloads. Clearly written, this is an accessible treatment of a complex topic.–Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. As it is now easy for teens to download all kinds of material--songs, text, movies, games, and software--from the Internet at the click of a mouse, this entry in the Issues in Focus Today series is a good introduction to what is and is not acceptable under current copyright law. The informative, straightforward text, sparsely illustrated with stock photos, explains the impact that electronic information has had on copyright law, discusses landmark cases, explores the pros and cons of peer-to-peer music swapping, and speculates on future copyright issues. Most important, the author offers clear, concise explanations of what constitutes fair use. A glossary, suggestions for further research, and source notes for quotations are included. Other topics considered in the series include abortion, human rights, and alcohol. Ed Sullivan
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

More About the Author

› Visit Amazon's Sherri Mabry Gordon Page

Sherri Mabry Gordon has written seven books including "Peanut Butter, Milk and Other Deadly Threats: What You Should Know About Food Allergies," which won a National Science Teachers award. Her most popular book to date is "Beyond Bruises: The Truth About Teen Abuse."

Gordon's passion is to provide young people with information about issues that impact their lives. As a result, nearly all of her books deal with relevant issues like dating violence, technology, green energy, evolution vs. intelligent design and many others. Her most recent book, "Using Technology," will be out in September 2011.

Gordon also writes for parenting magazines and eHow. Her goal is to share relevant and useful information. Currently, she is working on her first young adult fiction book.