The internet appeared to be a perfect place to access various types of information without paying for it. However, the majority of content that can be found on the web is protected by the copyright law, which makes copying illegal. The basic principle of copyright is that no one can copy or download parts of protected material without the consent of the right holder. Thus, copyright protects intellectual works from easy copying and using for commercial purposes. Nevertheless, teachers and students frequently use materials found on the internet because of the fair use doctrine. It is a legal exception to the copyright law that allows making copies to use them in education, journalism, or research.
As the digital technology develops incredibly fast, users find multiple ways to infringe copyright without being held responsible for the violation. Internet piracy greatly expanded with the development of the internet as people saw how easy they can access the content without purchasing it. Apparently, with the mass access to the internet, it is hardly possible to control adherence to the law. Pirates make many more additional copies either to sell them or to place the content at their web sites. Internet piracy is essential for those who do not want to pay for reading a book, watching a movie, or listening to a new album but, at the same time, it harms people creating this content.
To comply with the law of copyright, we must get permission from the right holders to use their materials in our personal purposes. The doctrine of fair use allows copying material protected by law in cases limited to journalism and education. The law on copyright imposes criminal responsibility for people who infringing it.