Is the copyright industry shooting itself in the foot?

LordSplodge · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:14

Interestin article.

http://falkvinge.net/2013/01/07/is-the-copyright-industry-really-shooting-itself-in-the-foot/

It’s tempting to mock the copyright industry for being unable to understand the Internet. Why, we ask, do they sue their fans, play whack-a-mole with torrent sites, and push for net-restricting legislation that savvy users can easily get around? Why don’t they just change their business model? But we never ask these questions expecting an answer; we just want to laugh at how stupid they are. Maybe they’re not. Maybe they know exactly what they’re doing.

I find the closing section very thought provoking. Perhaps derision by geeks and nerds is like water of a ducks back, protests against SOPA et al pointless because these guys are in in for the long term.

They truly do fear our ability to create our on content, on that I am sure.

Thoughts?

Aeleys · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:16

I'm pretty sure they know what they are doing, and are just doing it for the money as with everything they don't care 1 little but about customers/fans.

If all media was cheaper, obviously more people would buy rather than pirate.

Just look at cinemas, back when i used to go a lot it was £3.50 MAX, now it's closer to £20, no thanks

RDM · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:18

What business model do you suggest they adopt that can compete with "totally free"?

elmarko · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:20

RDM said:
What business model do you suggest they adopt that can compete with "totally free"?

I pay for games off steam, before steam I used to pirate them (I don't like amassing physical media).

A paid for service at reasonable prices can compete, just it's not really available.

Besides, I'm sure if lovefilm & netflix had the HBO main shows piracy would drop through the floor (except for people who really can't afford it - but for them, who cares - it's not like it's lost business).

The shows which get pirated the most are the ones which enforce silly delays on showing them to audiences around the world, in this day & age there is no reason for people in the UK to wait a month for an episode which has already run in the states.

Jokester · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:21

I'm a bit lost at the preventing people sharing their own content.

LordSplodge · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:23

RDM said:
What business model do you suggest they adopt that can compete with "totally free"?

Steam works pretty well, as does Lovefilm/Netflix.

You can't compete with those who will 'pirate' regardless (and never will be able to) but most people will take the cheap, legitimate option.

panyan · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:25

LordSplodge said:
most people will take the cheap, legitimate option.

+1

LordSplodge · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:26

Jokester said:
I'm a bit lost at the preventing people sharing their own content.

It is the next threat on the horizon. Look at YouTube channels like the Yogscast, billions of views and all user created. If people can make films, video and music and upload it for free (or ad supported on sites like Youtube) and remove the middleman then they are a threat to the old business model.

In the long term possibly a bigger threat to the old business model than piracy (that isn't really impacting on sales)

sid · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:26

Jokester said:
I'm a bit lost at the preventing people sharing their own content.

agreed, do they seriously think that youtube videos are competition to hollywood movie industry?

elmarko · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:27

LordSplodge said:
most people will take the cheap, legitimate option.

Exactly.

Jokester · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:27

LordSplodge said:
It is the next threat on the horizon. Look at YouTube channels like the Yogscast, billions of views and all user created. If people can make films, video and music and upload it for free (or ad supported on sites like Youtube) and remove the middleman then they are a threat to the old business model.

In the long term possibly a bigger threat to the old business model than piracy (that isn't really impacting on sales)

Yes, but how have they been trying to prevent this happening?

Kaeo · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:27

LordSplodge said:
most people will take the cheap, legitimate option.

I genuinely agree with this. It's easy to say that people will always take the free option, but for a lot of people, especially with games with online play or quick access to movies, a cheap streaming/downloads service is preferrable to pirating.

Aeleys · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:27

sid said:
agreed, do they seriously think that youtube videos are competition to hollywood movie industry?

With the money some of the channels make, it could do.

RDM · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:28

Why is music piracy so rife then?

Skillmister · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:28

RDM said:
What business model do you suggest they adopt that can compete with "totally free"?

One that is reasonably priced, provides what people want and works. Currently nothing matches all 3 (if any) of those points.

LordSplodge · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:29

Jokester said:
Yes, but how have they been trying to prevent this happening?

Unfortunately for the copyright industry, they can’t make it illegal to release your work independently. That would probably require a complete repeal of free speech, which would make for an insanely expensive lobbying campaign. What they can do is cripple the Internet.

If the Internet is turned into glorified Cable TV then the personal creation of content comes to a grinding halt.

LordSplodge · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:32

RDM said:
Why is music piracy so rife then?

Because it is easy. The rise of Amazon MP3 Store and iTune Store shows that people are willing to pay for music. Like I said, you aren't going to compete with those who only want to freeload. Most people don't, though.

[DOD]Asprilla · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:33

Skillmister said:
One that is reasonably priced, provides what people want and works. Currently nothing matches all 3 (if any) of those points.

Which is weird because sales have risen and revenues have gone down.

What's the problem with iTunes, spotify, etc?

Locky · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:33

I would love a legitimate option to download movies and series as they come out, but sadly there is no option (I think)

jimmy321 · 7 Jan 2013 at 21:38

sid said:
agreed, do they seriously think that youtube videos are competition to hollywood movie industry?

Well perhaps not Hollywood but certainly a chuck of mainstream, my son watches more youtube that TV. My self perhaps 90% TV 10% youtube.