As file sharing becomes a household concept, we observe an Internet polluted with gripes and guffaws, slander and satire. Everyone has two cents to contribute to the ongoing legislation over MP3 piracy and Internet copyright laws. Perhaps we should all step back and examine the larger picture to better evaluate the parties involved. So where do you stand? ZDNet Music has filtered through the mire and dredged up some exemplary specimens for you to examine. Although fictitious (and in some cases tactless), these pieces manipulate a sliver of truth to convey their poignant effects. Check out our six favorite examples and decide for yourself which rendition of the truth is most sarcastic.

Napster of Puppets MP3
The semimelodic tune of this Metallica parody pokes fun at the band's "sky is falling" stance toward the music-swapping software company. While fans may know all the words to Metallica's songs, the murky lyrics of this jingle remind us that those kids on high-speed Internet connections aren't paying the heating bills for Metallica's swimming pool any longer - and further, that pirating music begets banishment and legal grievances. We are reminded once again that media attention accounts for more than just musical mediocrity. Download this song now!

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Downloading Communism Poster
Heavily laden with deep reds and olive greens, this foreboding image focuses on two principal characters. The innocent boy and imposing demon soldier appear to be fixated on a computer screen, presumably downloading music. Although hyperbolical, this propaganda piece parodies the Record Industry Association of America's (RIAA) perceived take on file sharing. Cleverly using the basis of World War II propaganda posters, Modern Humorist exploits the essential mockery of Napster fear: File sharing is evil, and therefore, it must be stopped. Should you find yourself moved enough, feel free to order the full-sized poster. Make a statement, Modern Humorist style: "I recognize that stealing music is unethical, but I'm protected by my sense of irony."

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The Onion's "Kid Rock Starves to Death"
The Onion staff has outdone themselves with this farce, preparing a poignant, yet subtly plausible take on the file- sharing phenomenon. At the core, the piece is a faux obituary for Kid Rock, an ominously slight, though successful recording artist. But aside from the joking about Kid Rock's malnourished figure, the Onion does blame MP3 sharing for his death. No one is sacred. They go on to bash Madonna, Metallica, Elton John, and a slew of others, presenting a grim premonition of the future sans the record industry. Although more slapstick-silly than pragmatically stimulating, the Onion does mock the artists enough to merit recognition in this piece. We particularly enjoy the image of Kid Rock's stomach contents, which contain remnants of his unused liner notes.

Next: Hit me with the next three parodies