Not a week goes by where we don't write one story that involves or mentions music piracy. To this day, it's the number one industry discussion topic. How do we curtail it? Are there any solutions? Today, I read one suggestion by that was insightful and clever. Like anything, I'm sure there are a few perspectives on this that I haven't considered. Overall though, I think Owsinski makes a great point:
“To date the RIAA's approach to piracy was to punish the hell out of anyone caught indulging in illegal music downloading in order to make a nasty example that would deter all others from even thinking about participating in such a heinous crime. Didn't work, did it?
Let's try another technique instead. How about taking the same approach that countries often take when they catch a spy?
When a spy is caught they're given the option; come and work for us as a counterspy, or be prosecuted. What if the industry used the same mindset? Register with a music subscription service (assuming that a widespread subscription service is in place) for a minimum number of years (say, like 5), or be prosecuted.
I bet you already know which one everyone would take.
This way, you turn illegal file sharers into customers, you take the incentive out of illegal file sharing in the first place, and the artist, publisher, and labels get paid. Everyone wins."
What's your opinion?
“To date the RIAA's approach to piracy was to punish the hell out of anyone caught indulging in illegal music downloading in order to make a nasty example that would deter all others from even thinking about participating in such a heinous crime. Didn't work, did it?
Let's try another technique instead. How about taking the same approach that countries often take when they catch a spy?
When a spy is caught they're given the option; come and work for us as a counterspy, or be prosecuted. What if the industry used the same mindset? Register with a music subscription service (assuming that a widespread subscription service is in place) for a minimum number of years (say, like 5), or be prosecuted.
I bet you already know which one everyone would take.
This way, you turn illegal file sharers into customers, you take the incentive out of illegal file sharing in the first place, and the artist, publisher, and labels get paid. Everyone wins."
What's your opinion?
