Scrapbook 6 - CST 373

/http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-netflix-dragon-box-piracy-20180111-story.html

Summary:
Netflix and Amazon have joined a few major Hollywood studios in a lawsuit against the media streaming product Dragon Box. Dragon Box utilizes Kodi software which allows for third-party add-ons that provide easy access to free, pirated materials. While the Kodi software and Dragon Box itself are not illegal, they are accused in the lawsuit of facilitating piracy by making access to pirated material very easy for their clients. The argument is mainly based around the fact that Dragon Box was advertised as a product that would allow for users to leave subscription services such a Netflix and Hulu. Dragon Box officials have responded by saying that they can not be held responsible as the software is simply accessing readily available content online.

The reason this article was chosen:
This article was chosen as it pertains to our discussion this week on issues of copying another's work, as well as highlights the issues with the negative, albeit not direct, consequences creating certain programs can have.

Credibility of sources:
The Los Angeles Times is a long standing and well-respected news source.

Ethical implications:
Dragon Box, and other streaming services that utilize Kodi software, allow people to easily access content available online that may be pirated from its original source. Is the enabling of copyright infringement through the use of one’s product just as unethical as performing the copyright infringement oneself? Or should the fact that the pirated material is simply easily accessible to the Dragon Box’s algorithm make the unauthorized streaming of shows an unfortunate side effect of the reach of the internet?