To Download or Not to Download?
Friday, August 7, 2009 by Jordan2004
I have recently found another very interesting article on the NZ Herald website, in relation to illegal downloading. According to the article, it seems that “that stupid copyright law” (Section 92a) is taking a rewrite.
The article comments on a survey in which New Zealand participants stated that the primary reason that they download music, TV shows and movies illegally is due to the “time lapse” between their initial release overseas and the time it reaches New Zealand. Another key reason seems to be the price factor. It also addresses the ways in which New Zealand plans to combat internet piracy. One option that is possible seems to be the idea that if the illegal downloader gets caught by authorities and police, then they will be ordered to pay a hefty fine. The other option possible is the idea of their internet connection getting disconnected under law.
The article suggests that most people believe that neither of these strategies will deter illegal downloaders. I believe that one of the possible reasons for this is that the majority internet users think that there is a very slim chance that they will be singled out and caught for illegal downloading amongst the millions of illegal downloaders on the net today.
So what are your ideas? Do you think that one of these strategies will work to cure internet copyright infringement?
The full article can be found here.
The article comments on a survey in which New Zealand participants stated that the primary reason that they download music, TV shows and movies illegally is due to the “time lapse” between their initial release overseas and the time it reaches New Zealand. Another key reason seems to be the price factor. It also addresses the ways in which New Zealand plans to combat internet piracy. One option that is possible seems to be the idea that if the illegal downloader gets caught by authorities and police, then they will be ordered to pay a hefty fine. The other option possible is the idea of their internet connection getting disconnected under law.
The article suggests that most people believe that neither of these strategies will deter illegal downloaders. I believe that one of the possible reasons for this is that the majority internet users think that there is a very slim chance that they will be singled out and caught for illegal downloading amongst the millions of illegal downloaders on the net today.
So what are your ideas? Do you think that one of these strategies will work to cure internet copyright infringement?
The full article can be found here.
I agree with the article, and believe that these law changes for prosecuting illegal downloaders will not change anything. I think illegal downloading will only be reduced by providing a legal alternative that has the same, or greater convenience. Ie. films/tv available online to purchase, at the same time as they are released elsewhere in the world - but through a website that allows fast direct downloads, with immediate access to the purchased content. However, the prevalence of online music shops which offer this service doesn't seem to have reduced music piracy, especially with the 80 percent figure (which I was quite surprised at!). Perhaps there is a cultural element as well, where people are hesitant to view digital files as having a value, and are downloading music illegally without feeling morally obliged to pay (as it is definitely cheap enough to warrant buying it online). If this is the case I am not sure how such a change would be brought about (certainly not by the "you wouldn't steal a car" clips you see before feature films). A legal alternative that offers a better servie for digital film and television content than piracy would be a good start, and would probably sway those who are not comfortable with pirating their media content, but see not better service available.
Like you said, the thing I find the biggest deterrent is that fact that overseas, people like us are being singled out and charged. See http://www.nzherald.co.nz/technology/news/article.cfm?c_id=5&objectid=10588045
I don't know about you but it has made me think about the quantity of things I download, however it hasn't stopped me completely.
Personally I think that making CD's and DVD's with special features and more collectible (i.e boxed sets and hidden tracks) will work to draw some people away from illegally downloading better than punishments like disconnecting internet accounts.
If that 92a bill goes through it will be worrying, especially in NZ as being a small country there's more chance of downloaders found :( I hope it doesn't pass!