Can piracy be a good thing?

[SlorgNet]

Sure, piracy is sometimes a good thing. Not always - if you can afford to pay the creators, you really should do so. But sometimes borrowing is just that - borrowing.

Here's why: 80% of the planet lives in less than $400 a month. They may be highly educated, sophisticated folks with a world-class media culture, but they can't afford $60 games or $30 DVDs. Pirating makes sense - they get their media, and eventually buy the hardware, while the creators aren't hurt, because sales at $60 levels wouldn't be significant in places like rural India.

Have libraries destroyed books? No, they make the book industry possible, by creating new readers. Piracy or copying for 80% of the planet is a good thing.