Music Piracy and Crime Theory

• NCJ Number: 221610
• Author(s): Sameer Hinduja
• Date Published: 2006
• Length: 216 pages
• Sale Source: LFB Scholarly Publishing LLC
• Publication Format: Book (Hardbound)
• Publication Type: Research (Theoretical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: From LFB Sholarly Series Criminal Justice: Recent Scholarship

Annotation

An analysis is conducted on the explanatory power of three criminological theories (general strain, self-control, and social learning) on Internet crime, specifically online intellectual property theft in the form of digital music piracy.

Abstract

The analysis sought to test the applicability of three general criminological theories to online intellectual property theft in the form of digital music piracy. It has been determined that self-control and social learning theory are extensible to crimes that are nontraditional in content and in context, while general strain theory is not. In addition, it has fostered an awareness of the factors that result in adoption of the behavior and assimilation into the social group that supports and perpetuates it. Policy solutions intended to curb the prevalence of copyright violations have also been suggested and discussed. The digital music phenomenon has achieved unprecedented media coverage, public accolade and adoption, and legislative attention since its introduction into the popular culture. However, the wild proliferation of copyright infringement in the face of traditional business models and extant copyright law has demonstrated a weakness which may negatively affect the innovation, development, and value of intellectual property and creative works as the Internet plays a larger role in the information-based society. This study sought to determine whether general strain theory, self-control theory, and social learning theory are all valid explanatory frameworks in which to study and understand criminality that is conceptually different from traditional types in two ways. First, the phenomenon of music piracy which is facilitated by a computer and computer-related criminality has rarely been the subject of academic empirical examination or policy development by criminal justice personnel. Second, the phenomenon occurs online, over the Internet in an intangible, nonphysical, virtual realm. It is hoped that through this study a comprehensive picture would be obtained of predictive elements associated with online intellectual property theft. The subject population of the study consisted of undergraduate students at a large public university in the Midwest region of the United States. Tables, appendixes A-C