The War on Piracy = The War on Drugs...
But does the comparison really make sense? After all, the drug trade features violent cartels, 'mules,' overdoses, gang warfare... pooping condoms after cross-Atlantic flights! By comparison, the war on piracy involves ripping off Metallica; it features a finite number of supply channels (ISPs) and lots of legal alternatives...
Yet this is an analogy that keeps sticking, for a number of reasons. Both 'wars' feature endless crackdowns, shakedowns and raids, not to mention persistent 'abuse' and a seemingly unstoppable level of 'usage'. And just like the government, this is a memo that executives in the traditional music industry are getting, but rarely discussing. Which why it was surprising to hear it out loud from Rio Caraeff, CEO of VEVO, a joint venture involving three out of the four major labels:
(Caraeff, speaking recently at the Guardian Changing Media Summit, as quoted by The Next Web.)
But Caraeff only has a limited vote. And all indications point to a far greater level of anti-piracy enforcement ahead, especially as an increasingly-agitated Hollywood steps in. That means stepped-up action against infringing companies, more raids against high-profile operations like MegaUpload, and according to sources, more direct action against the executives and employees at these companies. And, continued clampdowns against the users snorting all that free music...
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wallow-T
Friday, March 30, 2012"Digital Prohibition." The common theme: a desire to stop a natural human activity which vast numbers find enjoyable.
After a decade of legal wins, what is the result for the content industry? Al Capone was jailed on tax charges: how much did that shut down drinking?
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Yves Villeneuve
Friday, March 30, 2012Some people call any war unwinnable.
Most wars can be won with patience and with the correct strategy, which may evolve or abruptly change over time.
Follow the enemy very closely. Don't allow them to thrive for very long.
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Visitor
Friday, March 30, 2012Exactly. Defeatism is self-fulfilling prophecy.
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ade
Friday, March 30, 2012riaa, mpaa, bpi cf: sticking their head in the sand since 1994
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lmnop
Friday, March 30, 2012Megaupload was a victory beyond the wildest imaginations. Industry word is that Grooveshark is next.
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Visitor
Friday, March 30, 2012The analogy fails.
Drugs are a damage one inflects on oneself*. Piracy is a damage to the livelihood of others.
- Versus
* With the possibility of further societal damages, such as when the drug user becomes addicted, overdoses, or attempts to operate heavy machinery.
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Versus
Friday, March 30, 2012Either war is winnable with enough will and enforcement.
That is, winnable at least in the sense of significant improvement, a meaningful victory in itself. We have not won the "war" to eradicate murder and other crimes either, yet it is still worth enforcing laws against such crimes if they lead to significant reduction.
Regards,
- Versus
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@blogibiza
Friday, March 30, 2012Both an ongoing exercise in futility.
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@PRnick
Friday, March 30, 2012Interesting parallels drawn...
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Article source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/digitalmusicnews/~3/Ro2TEW5MpEQ/120330drugs
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One Comment
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london
Sounds crazy but true!
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