Unlocking Word
Meanings
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. threat (n.) [thret] - something that might cause danger
Example: Pollution is a threat to the environment.
2. digital copyright (n.) [dij-i-tl kop-ee-rahyt] – a license for a person to own a
file on the computer
Example: People cannot sell a file without a digital copyright.
3. virtual (adj.) [vur-choo-uhl] – something that
is not actual or real
Example: Video games use virtual characters and environment.
4. join hands (idiom) [join hands] – cooperate;
work together
Example: People join hands to rescue the survivors of the earthquake.
Article
Read the text below.
Illegal
downloading of movies is becoming a threat to the movie industry in UK. Research
shows that one out of three people visit illegal websites first when they want
to download a movie. Most of them download movies illegally simply because it
is very easy to do.
According to
Liz Bales, an expert in digital
copyright, one solution to
this problem lies on technology that will allow people to legally view films
much easier than to download them from illegal websites. This new technology
provides a virtual storage
room where people can store movies they buy online and watch them in any device
they choose—say, an iPhone or an Xbox.
Some film and
internet companies are also joining
hands to solve this problem.
Recently, Warner Bros. and Facebook announced that they will provide movies
online.
However, this
can worsen the problem because some users do not know which websites are illegal.
Thus, instead of buying movies online, they might continue visiting illegal
websites that provide the same service.
To divert
internet users from visiting illegal websites first, Bale’s organization
created a website that tells people where they can get movies legally.
However, it
may take a longer time to convince people who have been downloading movies for
years. With faster and more efficient internet, illegal downloading is still very convenient.
The British
government is presently finding a way to block websites that violate copyright
laws. Unfortunately, they need to study the solution further to know if it is
in fact possible.
Viewpoint Discussion
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
·
Do
you think downloading movies online should not be allowed? Why or why not?
·
What
do you think will happen to the movie industry if people continue to download
movies illegally?
Discussion B
·
Do
you think it is possible to control the way people use the Internet? Why or why
not?
·
Do
you think it is right to control how people use the Internet? Why or why not?
