We’re all familiar with the term ‘piracy’ or ‘software piracy’ and it’s easy to put an ugly face on it and deem it bad and a form of defamation to the industry. Too easy. Even though the Computer Crime Research Centre (CCRC) in Ukraine calls it ‘dirty campaigning,’ we should take a closer look at both sides of the coin, and examine the bigger picture to this controversial issue.
Personally, I feel that piracy is not such a big deal and if anything, is a mostly-positive attribute to technology and society. The attitude I’m harboring towards this matter might be due to the fact that I’m not losing billions of dollars in sales each year, like gaming companies such as Activision and Electronic Arts do. The truth of the matter is, computer piracy is a costly business for many companies and that is why governments are taking such a fervent stance against it. In 1997 alone, the worldwide estimate of losses due to piracy was approximately $11.4 billion (Software Publishers Association, 1997). That just makes you want to shout out in disbelief and envy doesn’t it? That’s enough to buy over Krispy Kreme and maybe a bag of cheetos and that’s all I really need!
As much as piracy brings disgrace and loss to companies, it has its advantages and positive points as well. If you think about it, I’m sure you’ll agree with me or at least give the whole issue a second thought before condemning it entirely.
Firstly, piracy is a form of flattery, just as imitating is. Software companies should instead take it as a compliment that their product is something so desirable and has acquired so much attention that it’s brought about other independent agencies manufacturing copies of it. It’s like starting a trend. I’d certainly take it as a compliment, should others adore my produce or me so much that it causes the majority of them to replicate what they see. Wouldn’t you?
Secondly, I see piracy as just another form of publicizing a product. Just as how although celebrities whine and complain about the paparazzi and tabloids being annoyances, they in fact need to be grateful to these sources for their fame and stature – without the press publicizing and promoting them and their work, mass recognition would be not be a possibility. Likewise, by reproducing computer games for example, pirates are actually helping to promote the manufacturers and their games! Instead of denouncing them, software giants such as Microsoft should give them credit for part of the publicity gained for the company or their software. It’s all about exposure, baby.
Thirdly, we all know that originals are a lot more expensive than copies. This poses a difficulty in acquisition for the poor and needy. Imagine what it’s like struggling to keep the family together financially and still having to purchase the latest version of Microsoft Office for your job, which pays as much as Walmart pays its deli workers. Caught between a rock and a hard place, wouldn’t it be a load easier if you could find something within your budget? Well piracy helps bridge the gap between the rich and the poor, in that aspect (of being able to buy a particular piece of software or item). It increases the accessibility of the good by selling it at a much lower price, so as to make certain that every one gets a fair, or should I say more apt, opportunity to buy it. See, there’s some good in their hearts after all! Awwwh…
Lastly, making replicas at low cost and high profit is but an extremely entrepreneurial way of making money. Though not the most creative or moral, or legal for that matter, the bottom line is that it makes money. No risk no gain right? It’s like having a franchise of the Olive Garden, only with the price and quality of the food lowered.
Conversely, the main reason that governments and authorities are coming down hard on piracy – ‘infringements can be punishable by up to five years in prison and $250,000 in fines’ (Penalties of Piracy, RIAA) – is that it makes money, a lot of money. Do you honestly reckon they’d give a New York minute’s worth of attention on an industry which, though illegal, only brings in about $500 a year – maybe something like illegal doughnuts or the unauthorized use of paper towels in restaurants? I don’t think so. Sure, it might also be due to the protection of intellectual property and all that jazz but c’mon, when push comes to shove it’s all about the moola!
In conclusion, maybe my perception is a little flawed, okay a lot, but I seem to think I make sense (either that or the weed’s kicking in). I hope that the next time you pass vendors retailing pirate software, movies, games, etc (doughnuts included), you’d patronize them instead of calling the cops, or at the very least just walk on by. They need to make a living too you know!
References:
Brian A. Cole (1998, Nov 5) ‘Computer Piracy’ Position Paper. Retrieved January 30, 2007 from:
http://u.cc.utah.edu/~bac2/piracy/paper/paper.html
Recording Industry Association of America ‘What the RIAA is Doing About Piracy’ Retrieved February 1, 2007 from:
http://www.riaa.com/issues/piracy/riaa.asp
Business Software Alliance ‘Software Piracy Figures’ Retrieved Febrary 1, 2007 from:
http://www.bsa.org/hongkong/press/newsreleases/Latest-Worldwide-Software-Piracy-Figures-Released-Five-Years-US-59_2-Billion-Lost-more-than-half-of-all-business-software-used-in-Hong-Kong-still-illegal.cfm
The Shadow Internet. Retrieved February 1, 2007 from:
http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/13.01/topsite_pr.html
1 comment:
Julius: This is about the most original piece on copyright I've encountered! I actually smiled reading this. :)
Weed references aside, your ideas don't really answer the question of accomodating both creators and users. Instead, it attempts to shift the paradigm that has plagued the idea of copyright, that either copyright has failed to accomodate interests of both parties and should be abolished altogether, or that it should continue to exist status quo with the current state of piracy. Bravo for daring to think different.
Good organization: You've made your points quite succinct, which is important in discussing thorny issues such as this.
Full grades awarded!
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