KEYWORDS: Digital material, copyright infringement, freedom of the speech and the Internet, Internet piracy
ABSTRACT: The illegal practice of Internet piracy in several countries has taken massive proportions, causing serious conflict between social groups and the respective industries. This study investigates the reasons behind the rapid and uncontrolled phenomenon aiming to aid the industry in their search for common grounds with these communities so as to, maybe, use this otherwise illegal practice for the industry's benefit but the social welfare as well. The study is divided in two parts. In this 1st part the basic arguments, of both sides i.e. the digital consumers/pirates and the industry, are provided and explained briefly in an effort to help the open minded realize that this is not a problem with an easy solution since there are many parameters to consider and account for which are not clearly pro or against one of the two parties.
