Monday
Aug112008
Piracy is a valid market force
Monday, August 11, 2008 at 9:13AM
The music and movie industries are probably the most vocal advocates for legislation to control piracy. This always strikes me as ironic because these are the same people who would have demanded a right to unregulated capitalism when they were making obscene profits on CD sales. Apparently the invisible hand is only a good thing when it's acting in your favor.
by Grim Reaper With A Lawnmower
I'm not completely libertarian, I definitely believe that some regulation of private industry is necessary to ensure fair pricing for the general population, and to ensure that innovation continues (monopolies always stifle innovation). However, I don't believe that steeper fines or stricter laws regarding piracy are real solutions. All that would do is prop up a failing business model based on the distribution of information, now made irrelevant by the internet.
by AKMA
Piracy is not a new social phenomena. It is not sign of moral decay. Piracy is a sign that the consumer is unwilling to accept the high prices and use restrictions that come with the product they are offered. It is a valid market force. If you cannot provide me a legal way to get the product I want, the way I want, and at a reasonable price, I'll find another way.
by edrabbit
Legislation is not the way to solve this. You don't rise to the challenges brought on by new technologies by legally forcing the consumer to use old technologies. You don't restrict, you compete. The primary principal of the free market is that private companies should stand or fall on their own ability to meet the consumers needs while competing with others. In this case they are competing against the public at large and an unregulated, almost free method of distribution. You can't win that battle with a heavily regulated and relatively expensive product.
by Will Lion
The answer is very straightforward. Offer non-DRMed content at a reasonable price (I'd say $0.25 for songs, $2 for movies) through an simple and easy-to-use interface. If it's relatively cheap and easier to access legitimately than it is to pirate, people will buy it. It's not worth trying to pirate something for free that you can get easily for $0.25. iTunes has already proven this is true to a small degree, and if they cut out the DRM and lowered prices, music piracy would almost completely stop.
by Will Lion
Actually, now that I think about it, don't do that. Keep suing, fining, and attempting to imprison your customers. Deny them access to new technologies, stifle innovation, and make it as difficult as possible to get your product without breaking the law. Really, I'd like that. Because in doing that you will ensure that the "free market" you were so much a fan of two decades ago will take you out and replace you with a new organization that is willing to give the customer what they want. I want to see you get smacked down by the invisible hand.
by 3arabawy
by Grim Reaper With A Lawnmower
I'm not completely libertarian, I definitely believe that some regulation of private industry is necessary to ensure fair pricing for the general population, and to ensure that innovation continues (monopolies always stifle innovation). However, I don't believe that steeper fines or stricter laws regarding piracy are real solutions. All that would do is prop up a failing business model based on the distribution of information, now made irrelevant by the internet.
by AKMA
Piracy is not a new social phenomena. It is not sign of moral decay. Piracy is a sign that the consumer is unwilling to accept the high prices and use restrictions that come with the product they are offered. It is a valid market force. If you cannot provide me a legal way to get the product I want, the way I want, and at a reasonable price, I'll find another way.
by edrabbit
Legislation is not the way to solve this. You don't rise to the challenges brought on by new technologies by legally forcing the consumer to use old technologies. You don't restrict, you compete. The primary principal of the free market is that private companies should stand or fall on their own ability to meet the consumers needs while competing with others. In this case they are competing against the public at large and an unregulated, almost free method of distribution. You can't win that battle with a heavily regulated and relatively expensive product.
by Will Lion
The answer is very straightforward. Offer non-DRMed content at a reasonable price (I'd say $0.25 for songs, $2 for movies) through an simple and easy-to-use interface. If it's relatively cheap and easier to access legitimately than it is to pirate, people will buy it. It's not worth trying to pirate something for free that you can get easily for $0.25. iTunes has already proven this is true to a small degree, and if they cut out the DRM and lowered prices, music piracy would almost completely stop.
by Will Lion
Actually, now that I think about it, don't do that. Keep suing, fining, and attempting to imprison your customers. Deny them access to new technologies, stifle innovation, and make it as difficult as possible to get your product without breaking the law. Really, I'd like that. Because in doing that you will ensure that the "free market" you were so much a fan of two decades ago will take you out and replace you with a new organization that is willing to give the customer what they want. I want to see you get smacked down by the invisible hand.
by 3arabawy
Reader Comments (1)
"Smacked down by the invisible hand." I love it!