Is the battle over file sharing and copyright laws going to end soon? Absolutely not.

The never-ending argument was reopened yet again with the Australian court deciding that Kazaa - a popular downloading program used for file sharing - has violated copyright laws. The company now has two months to cease the unauthorized sharing of files over the Internet.

Talk about the possibility of the ruling bringing on the dissolution of Kazaa has begun. The real question, however, is not whether Kazaa will become extinct because of this ruling, but if this decision will create any sort of dent in illegal downloading as a whole.

Will it? Probably not.

People will still continue to download music despite an increasing number of promotions against downloading, warnings and lawsuits. For some, however, the threat of going to trial is enough to send them back toward the CD aisle.

File-sharing networks such as Napster were among the first to help popularize downloading. The Australian court's decision is just one of the many cases against file-sharing programs. Although many have met their demise, and it appears that Kazaa is on its way out, other file-sharing methods will spring up to take its place.

If Sony can produce VCRs and DVD burners, and computers can include CD burners, why punish Kazaa for simply providing the capabilities to download music? Aren't VCRs and burners just another means of violating copyright laws?

If record companies are so concerned with protecting their business, perhaps they should go about it in a different way. Many artists don't own the rights to their music and don't see much income from actual CD sales, anyway. They make money from merchandise, touring, and endorsements.

The reality of the situation is that music downloading is here to stay.