Airport Security Gets Involved In Neverending Saga Posted July 15th, 2008 by Joshua Khan If you thought Metallica and Gene Simmons were harsh when it

by Joshua Khan

If you thought Metallica and Gene Simmons were harsh when it came to the topic of illegally downloading music, then think again.

Checking mobile devices such as laptops and MP3 players at airports for illegal downloads is being considered by G8 governments. The proposed plan is part of an international agreement that hopes to stop piracy.

Even though it isn’t known how airport customs officials will identify media files that are illegal, the action is bigger than a collection of Rolling Stones box sets. Almost everyone downloads “illegal” music nowadays and a lot of people go in and out of airports. But where there’s a plan, there’s a way to get around it. Some electronic genius is bound to come up with a way to help people beat the system (aside from taking a car than traveling by plane).

But how will airport officials be able to determine the difference between an illegal MP3 and a music file that was downloaded from a reliable source? Music journalists will have to watch their backs as the plan could affect them. Some CDs music critics receive are online and through file hosting sites.

Using airport security is an effective strategy, but it’s not going to stop the major file sharing programs out there. It will however make a grown individual cry hysterically as their iPod is taken away by a customs official.