If you can download a movie for free - why should you buy it?
Why should you be concerned with piracy?
The issue is a real one.
Imagine that you graduate from film school, and your thesis is a huge sensation. You land a studio deal, and your career is off and running. How great would that be!
But what if piracy cuts into the ability for investors to recoup their investment? What if it cuts into their ability to make a profit? Who will finance the next film? Maybe as the risks increase, production decreases....maybe there won't be a for profit entertainment industry.
So what has to happen?
It appears that several changes need to occur to greatly reduce piracy. Let's face it - it can not be stopped completely. Piracy existed long before the internet. The internet just made it faster, easier and better quality.
First, congress needs to pass real legislation that allows for real penalties to lawbreakers - while allowing for the free exchange of information without censorship on the internet. Sharing stolen files is not a free speech issue.
Second, internet service providers need to acknowledge the problem, and accept some responsibility for policing their data streams.
Third, somehow, the international community has to agree upon some codified rules to determine fair use - as it currently stands, most fair use cases are determined on a case by case basis, which is extremely inefficient.
Fourth, and concurrent with the First, the studios, distributors and exhibitors have to find more legal outlets around the world. Often the places where piracy is the most rampant are the places where they do not have widespread legal access.
Fifth, we need a culture shift. People need to understand that when they steal content, they steal from the health plans of the workers who made the film, they steal profits from the investors who financed the film, they steal from the very industry that they need to provide their content. If the film and television industries whither due to piracy, we'll be limited to watching You Tube videos of cats and honey badgers.
If you are interested in understanding more about these issues, here are a few links to more information.
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