Statistics indicate 70% of the online users find nothing wrong with piracy (Strader 30). The statistics clearly indicate the high number of people who would be comfortable with pirated movie. While many people argue it would be effective, and affordable to buy pirated movies, it is against the law. Moreover, the people who created the content do not profit when their production is pirated. The movie piracy crime is a global issue that needs to be addressed (Cesareo et al. 521). In most cases, the pirated copies are not sold in the country, or location where they are produced, but they are sold in foreign countries.
Shocking statistics indicate people have been increasing the number of pirated materials on their computers (Cesareo et al. 520). While it is unethical to pirate movies, the number of pirated movies has increased over the years. The impact on the economy is huge since many people lose their jobs. Movie industry creates jobs for the actors, production crew, and the content creators. When their content is pirated, it means they will not have enough funds to come up with another production. The sales team set up by the original owners of the movie will not make the intended sales. They will make sales below what they were expected (Cesareo et al. 522). Thus, losses in the industry, leads to loss of jobs, loss of income, and loss of motivation to invest in the industry.
When movies are pirated the actors do not benefit. When the actors are working in the film industry, their expectation is to gain financially, and boost their career growth (Strader 31). However, due to the loss of income, low sales, and lack of motivation to invest in the industry, the actors fail to benefit (Chaudhry 15). It is crucial to consider it is the profit, and success of a production that motivates the actors to continue being creative in their work. Movie actors are motivated when they see their content going to the global market. When the movie is pirated, the success in the global market is choked leading to failure.
Producing a movie is an expensive project (Strader 30). Millions of dollars are invested to come up with a production that is of good quality. When the movie is pirated, the cost incurred is not recovered. Many people who engage in piracy claim the original owners are selling it at a high cost. The high cost is due to the cost incurred during the production of quality movie. The equipment hired, or purchased are expensive (Chaudhry 16). Moreover, the crew involved was composed of professionals from the pre-production stage to the post-production stage. It would be a loss-making business if the movie is sold at a throw away price.
Piracy has a massive effect on the film industry since it discourages the people from creating the movie content. Therefore, it is important to stop the crime since it robs the economy an opportunity to progress (Cesareo et al. 520). Most people who have creative ideas about creating movie content have been discouraged by the massive piracy crimes (Strader 30). The government has not managed to fight the criminals, thus, robbing a country of the opportunities it would have to showcase to the world its talents, and abilities.
Counter Arguments
A large number of people who buy or sell pirated movies argue the original copies are not easily available. Pirated copies are sold along the streets, or on various websites (Strader 30). An original copy would only be available in a single website where the movie producer would control the sales. If the movie is to be available in other sites, it would be under strict supervision, and control (Cesareo et al. 524). Therefore, claiming that the movie is not available is just an excuse. Moreover, when a movie is produced, advertisements indicate where the customers can buy it from.
When people are buying pirated copies, they argue the content is the same with the original copy. Moreover, all they are interested in is the content, not whether the copy is original or pirated (Strader 30). This kind of argument has been majorly responsible for the increase in the number of piracy crimes. However, it is important to realize the fight against the crime cannot be won if some stakeholders do not play their part (Cesareo et al. 521). People who are buying the copies should be on the front line of declining to buy the pirated copies. When the customers insist they need original copies the sellers will have no option.
Conclusion
The market is governed by the law of demand, and supply. In the case of pirated movies, it is the people who buy that create the demand, and prompt the supply to be in abundance. If there was no demand, there would be no supply. Clients who buy the movies commit a crime in the same measure with the person producing the copies, and selling them. It would be wrong to imagine the person buying them is committing a lesser crime. Therefore, it is important to support the film industry by buying the original copies of any movie. If the movie is unavailable, there is need to look for the contacts of the producers to confirm the location where the original copies are being sold. The world could experience better films in the years to come if all the stakeholders engaged in the fight against piracy.
- Cesareo, L, and Alberto P. “Consumers’ Attitude And Behavior Towards Online Music Piracy And Subscription-Based Services.” Journal of Consumer Marketing 31.6/7 (2014): 515-525.
- Chaudhry, Peggy E. “Fake And Pirated: Do Consumers Care?.” Journal of Business Strategy 38.6 (2017): 11-19.
- Strader, Troy J. “Online And Offline Content Piracy Activities: Characteristics And Ethical Perceptions.” International Journal of Technoethics (IJT) 5.2 (2014): 22-36.
