Piracy and Copyright

The digitalisation of media has led to an explosion in copyright infringement. Unlike old methods such as tapes and photocopiers, a digital copy has virtually no cost.

Like the Luddites destroying the new cotton looms at the beginning of the industrial revolution, the media producers tried to destroy the new digital technology. Using copyright laws to sue those that make copies and refusing to licence their content to digital media outlets. However, for the most part these attempts failed.

Consumers did not use Napster because the music was free, they used it because their was no alternative. Once legitimate download site like i-Tunes became available, many made the switch. Coming from a legitimate give people confidence they are getting a getting a quality virus free product. Until the industry started installing anti-piracy viruses, scaring aware consumers.

Some consumers still argue that the cost of legitimate media is still to high. Despite the absence of inventory costs digital media is often the same price as physical copies. Unfortunately, the publishing industry has not learnt it lessons. Instead of finding ways to reduce or subsidise the cost with advertising, they know want internet providers to cut of their customers. People are smart and they will probably either start using encryption or create a peer to peer wi-fi internet, cutting out the ISPs altogether.

It may well be that the recorded media industry is dead and artists will have to return to earning a living from live performances. I think this is unlikely, there is plenty of demand for media. Most of the population is happy to pay for subscription television, then pay again to buy the box set on DVD. The industry just needs to cut costs and find new business models that make consumers feel they are getting value for money.