The media industry and the public are locked in an eternal debate with no clear winner in sight. Media companies have filed thousands of cases against media sharing sites for unauthorized distribution of their products. In the other corner, the public continues to clamor for free media access online, claiming that the current cost of entertainment is too high for them to afford. Both sides have compelling arguments. Media companies are losing millions just by having their products distributed on the Internet free of charge. This does not only apply to music and software programs, but also to videos and movies. In response to this threatening trend, they have decided to take the fight to the courts on the basis of copyright infringement. On the other hand, the recent economic climate has forced people to hang on tight to their loose change. They are reluctant to buy movie tickets, CDs, and DVDs because they can use the money for more important things. Online streaming allows them to enjoy their entertainment preferences without limping financially. From a legal standpoint, distributing movies online without the proper licenses is illegal. However, whether consuming these materials is against the law is not clear. While media companies can continue to attempt shutting down these illegitimate services, they cannot control the growing number of Internet users who want to watch online movies for free. Quite a number of online movie streaming patrons claim that this is okay, as long as the material is accessed for personal use and not personal gain. They only want to watch online movies for free because of their convenience; they do not have any intention of distributing and profiting from it. This is where the law is thrown for a loop. Just how can they be sanctioned if they are not, technically speaking, doing something illegal? The debate persists, and neither side is showing any sign of backing down. Since the Internet is quite hard to sheriff, it will take some time before this issue is resolved. In this gridlock, both parties carry on with their regular activities. Media companies continue to produce content, while people still watch online movies for free.
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