Movie Piracy, A Thing Of The Past?
Recent studies have shown that folks still love to download pirated copies of major motion picture films. One such study conducted by NPD revealed that in 2006 at least 8% of the 12,500 U.S. households participating did download movies and video content via P2P sharing services. While a mere 2% actually paid for the right to legally download these types of files.
Though the study may not have revealed staggering conclusions, it is interesting that people are still committing crimes in liue of the fact that there are services that provide legal downloading options. Couple that with the fact that most people who use P2P services such as ARES know they are committing punishable crimes, not many people would be willing to tell the truth in such instances. Realistically, would you?
But the question remains, why is this still such a problem if legal services exist for consumers to utilize?
Firstly, and foremost, P2P downloading is FREE. If someone offered you a free glass of soda from a 2 liter bottle they stole, and you were really, really thirsty and had no money, would you drink it or dump it down the sink? While this analogy is somewhat skewed, the principals remain the same. Not everyone can afford the $12.00 movie ticket. Or get to the theater for that matter. That's what makes P2P downloading a viable option for many even with the stigma of the illegalities surrounding it.
Secondly, some people may view the legal services as too restrictive as to what is allowable with the downloaded content. Some legal movie downloading services, such as CinemaNow.com, do allow DVD burning, but not many. Basically, you can count on one hand how many will allow this out of the existing legal providers. And with P2P downloading, burning isn't restricted. Nothing is! Yes, it is illegal, but most consumers may think, "Well, I'm already breaking the law, so who cares, right??".
Not to mention that many of the legal providers limit their customers as to what types of movie viewing software can be used, even after a purchase has been made successfully. Some companies will allow their customers to view the legally purchased and downloaded movies on more than one device, and also allow the option of connecting your computer to a television for further viewing. Again, not without some tech savvy arising to more of a breakaway from legal movie download services.
To end the P2P illegal downloading, the only solution is to re-arrange the pricing scale and make more acceptable options as to the restrictions on the content from the consumers point of view. People that wish to be entertained are willing to pay the price, but within reason and with less restrictions placed on their purchases.
Until the major motion picture associations wake up and smell the "digital" java, it doesn't look as if the illegal downloading of movies will end any time soon. They should take some ques from the Recording Industry who have offered legal downloading of music for $0.99 a song. That tune sits well with consumers.
