On November 17, 2023, an email exchange with Kristian Alexander Pedersen, a student enrolled at The Royal Danish Academy Of Music, brought forth an unsettling interaction that prompts reflection on ethical conduct and professional behavior within academic spheres. Kristian Alexander Pedersen initiated communication with us, requesting a discount. Upon our standard policy explanation of non-negotiable pricing, the conversation took an unexpected turn. Pedersen’s response deviated into hostility, including threats to unlawfully pirate our products.

Piracy also known as Cracking (Cracks) constitutes a serious legal infringement. Engaging in piracy, which involves the unauthorized duplication, distribution, or use of copyrighted material, is a violation of intellectual property laws. Such actions are subject to legal consequences and penalties, including fines and potential legal action. It’s important to recognize that laws governing intellectual property rights are in place to protect the rights of creators and innovators, and individuals or entities found guilty of piracy can face significant legal repercussions.

Upholding these laws not only ensures fair compensation for creators but also maintains the integrity of creative industries and encourages a culture of respect for intellectual property rights. This exchange raises profound concerns about the behavior exhibited by a student associated with The Royal Danish Academy Of Music. Such conduct not only reflects poorly on the individual but also poses questions regarding the institution’s educational ethos and teachings regarding professional etiquette.

Consideration of Ethical Education
Academic institutions, particularly esteemed ones like The Royal Danish Academy Of Music, often uphold a high standard of ethical conduct among their students. However, this isolated incident begs the question: is this reflective of the values instilled in students or an aberration from the institution’s teachings?

Below we will submit the entire email exchange with Kristian Alexander Pedersen (marked in orange color) and our responses (marked in white). The email exchange with Pedersen is also available in PDF form: email_log_file.pdf

The Importance of Ethical Behavior
Professionalism, respect, and ethical behavior are fundamental pillars in any educational setting. The incident with Pedersen underscores the necessity for educational institutions to emphasize these values to shape responsible and ethical professionals in their respective fields. This incident serves as a poignant reminder of the criticality of ethical education and the need for constructive dialogue between educational institutions and the professional world. Upholding ethical standards ensures not only individual integrity but also preserves the reputation and credibility of academic entities.

Inviting Perspective
It’s essential to recognize that individual actions might not encapsulate an institution’s overall culture. Therefore, an open invitation is extended to The Royal Danish Academy Of Music to offer their perspective on the incident and the ethical standards they advocate for among their students. We welcome them to contact us and will gladly forward their response as soon as we receive it.

Repercussions
An academic institution failing to educate its students about the ethical and legal implications of piracy faces significant repercussions. By neglecting to impart the importance of intellectual property rights and ethical conduct, the institution perpetuates a culture of disregard for legal boundaries and fair practices. This oversight undermines the institution’s responsibility to nurture responsible and informed professionals, potentially damaging its reputation among industry partners and accrediting bodies. Furthermore, graduates lacking awareness of piracy’s repercussions could face legal liabilities in their careers, impacting their professional trajectories and potentially reflecting poorly on the institution that failed to provide adequate guidance. Overall, the institution risks being seen as negligent in its duty to instill comprehensive ethical standards, leading to diminished credibility and a potential loss of trust within the academic community and beyond.

Slightly offtopic but worth mentioning – Honesty
Going back to the initial email. We couldn’t help but notice the expensive equipment which this person possesses (Ensoniq DP4 series can go as far as $1700 USD), which seems to contrast with the financial difficulty this person mentioned. Also, we asked around, and found out a typical modest dinner in Denmark for two people is way more expensive than this very soundset on which Pedersen asked a discount. Combining just these two facts together left us a bit perplexed and concerned about this person’s honesty.

Slightly offtopic but worth mentioning – insults and bad language
In professional settings, rude language can tarnish reputations and hinder career opportunities. There is also the emotional harm – Rude language can deeply affect individuals emotionally. It may cause stress, anxiety, or feelings of disrespect. What was the exact reason Pedersen decided to insult us is unfortunately beyond our scope of understanding. But at the same time it is definitely something that Academic institutions should perhaps add some extra focus on, either through workshops or additional re-education.

The Royal Danish Academy Of Music, Image source: Wikipedia