TV is slightly different, because regional availability becomes a factor. - Edit 1
Before modification by Joel at 19/01/2012 04:19:43 PM
It is ironic that many US cable networks have foreign outlets but the original "big three" broadcasters largely lack them (though NBC does have MSNBC.)
Well, if the pending bills would send people to prison for piracy, I would expect that to put a significant crimp in it, with little additional expense for Big Media; once it becomes a criminal matter they no longer need to pay a team of lawyers to make a civil complaint.
I do not wholly disagree with you there but, ultimately, even if it is not the most efficient use of their resources, intellectual property owners do (or should) have every right to enforce their property rights. Movie ticket sales have been dropping ever since people could rent them from Blockbuster on VHS (in fact, I hear brick and mortar video rental stores are the ones Netflix and Redbox are REALLY killing.) That is part of the reason an 8 oz. coke costs $3 at the theater. The difference between those things and outright piracy is that people are not getting the media content without the inconvenience of having to purchase that privilege from those who produced it.
My point was, from a business standpoint, there's a point of diminishing returns when it comes to fighting piracy, and it's not too deep.
So, spend half a billion lobbying Congress for a draconian bill that won't really affect piracy anyway, or focus your money and energy on figuring out a way to make money in a new world.
So, spend half a billion lobbying Congress for a draconian bill that won't really affect piracy anyway, or focus your money and energy on figuring out a way to make money in a new world.
Well, if the pending bills would send people to prison for piracy, I would expect that to put a significant crimp in it, with little additional expense for Big Media; once it becomes a criminal matter they no longer need to pay a team of lawyers to make a civil complaint.
Even taking SOPA out of it, the point still stands- movie ticket sales have dropped, Netflix is making a killing. Music pirating did and does exist, but iTunes is still the number one music-buying platform. I don't know the numbers for television, but I DO know that viewing shows on the Internet and through DVR has become so prevalent that the numbers are becoming just as relevant as actual live viewing.
I do not wholly disagree with you there but, ultimately, even if it is not the most efficient use of their resources, intellectual property owners do (or should) have every right to enforce their property rights. Movie ticket sales have been dropping ever since people could rent them from Blockbuster on VHS (in fact, I hear brick and mortar video rental stores are the ones Netflix and Redbox are REALLY killing.) That is part of the reason an 8 oz. coke costs $3 at the theater. The difference between those things and outright piracy is that people are not getting the media content without the inconvenience of having to purchase that privilege from those who produced it.