 | | | A guide to music & computer software piracyThe name given to the illegal copying and selling of DVDs and CDs, computer software piracy or pirate CD's is rife online and offline. Many people see it as a crime that doesn't really matter because no-one is getting hurt, but some would argue this is not the case as money generated by both computer software piracy & music pirate copies is often used by gangs of criminals to fund the sale of drugs and guns.
If you do buy an illegal copy, the quality of the recording is usually really bad. If it's a DVD, the picture will be grainy or change to black and white at some points, while the sound quality will often be muffled and very quiet. You won't be given a receipt so if it doesn't work, you won't be able to get a refund or an exchange.
DVDs
You may come across illegal pirate copies of DVDs or CDs in markets, car boot sales or on online auction sites. They will be cheaper than they are on the high street, but they'll probably have been recorded on a camcorder at the back of a cinema or downloaded illegally from the internet.
Sometimes they are easy to spot, as they're not sold in a plastic case, but other things you should look out for include:- if the film has just been released at the cinema, any DVD of it will definitely be illegal
- if the DVD packaging has any foreign languages on it, or if the description or cast list doesn't match the film you're buying, it's probably been produced on someone's home computer
- if the cover of the DVD doesn't have a film certificate on it that you recognise, such as 'PG', '15' or '18', it's likely to be a pirate copy.
Copying CDs
If you've bought a CD in a shop, you may want to copy the songs onto an MP3 player or make a copy of the CD. Generally speaking, you can make a copy for your own personal use, you will not be breaking the law. You can also lend the CD that you bought to your friends if they want to listen to it. However, it is illegal to make copies of CDs and give them to your friends or to sell pirate copies of CDs for a profit. | | | |
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Turkey
Before booking a holiday to Turkey check out the ULookUBook travel guide. Find out about the rich culture in Turkey before you go there to help you to make the most of your holiday.
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Downloading music
