Scoobes on 25 January 2012
| Reasonable said: While I don't advocate piracy in the least the article raised a number of key issues - or flaws - in current corporate and international operational models that certainly encourage people to pirate digital media of various forms. Ultimately it's wrong simply because while not theft in the traditional sense, it is electing to use something without paying that represents someone else's income model. The example given of a painting is key - however many copies are made the artist should get a fair share as the originating creator. There are too many barriers to ownership and use currently, and I do believe that rather than limit piracy the result has been to swell the ranks of knowing illegal pirates with people who wouldn't pirate if there was no DRM, no usage restrictions and re-sale was understood and accepted. Better transparency of costs of a digital model and what is a fair charge would also help. In the end piracy has always been around since the earliest availability of anything to pirate, but I believe corporations and international legal enforcement have gone in entirely the wrong direction to combat and control it. |
The income models need to change though. They're still based in an archaic world whereby physical sales are dominant and can be controlled. By contrast, the modern world is connected on a global scale and very few companies have adapted to that change. Rather than fighting piracy through legislation, DRM and threats, companies should be looking to adapt and thrive by offering legal alternatives; effectively outcompeting the pirates. The music industry has started doing this in recent years. Hopefully the game and movie industries will take note.
