First disclaimer: Nothing that follows is intended to be read as an endorsement of piracy, only some thoughts about it as a social phenomenon, and what it might tell us about product demand.
Second disclaimer: I have published over fifty books and a few hundred short stories, columns, and articles, most of which I own the copyrights on. I’ve also contributed scripts to a dozen different TV series, and although I do not own any of those copyrights, I am entitled to residual participation on those television copyrights. And I have a financial interest in one movie, Martian Child, which is (loosely) based on the story of my son’s adoption. So I am not unbiased on the issue of copyrights and ownership.
Third disclaimer: I don’t like piracy, I don’t advocate it, I don’t endorse it, I don’t condone it—but despite my disapproval, people still keep downloading illegal copies of music, TV shows, books, comics and graphic novels, magazines, software, keygens, cracks, and hacks.
So, let’s look at all that downloading.
Start with the obvious. People download music and software and movies and TV shows because they want it. They want to listen to the music, watch the movie, play the game, use the software tool, read the book, look at the fanedit, hear or see the mashup, whatever.
The owners of the copyright don’t object to people wanting the product. In fact, they want you to want it. But they also want you pay for it. It’s how they stay in business—but sometimes it leads to shortsighted decisions, especially if you don’t know what business you’re in.
