IP Outreach Research > IP Crime

Reference

Details

Main Findings

Digital piracy is commonplace: fewer than one in five survey respondents acquire entertainment media strictly legally. Fewer than two in five acquire media both legally and illegally, and half of all downloaders acquire media only through illegal downloading/file sharing.

The most popular reasons given for illegal downloading are, in decreasing order of importance: “it is the easiest way to access digital entertainment media”, “consumers cannot afford the retail price of entertainment media”, “there is content available via download that is not otherwise readily available”, “it is easier to find desired content” and “it is easier to transfer content to other digital devices”.

More than three fourths of consumers know that it is illegal to acquire or share copyrighted material without purchasing it. But significant numbers of consumers think it should be legal – from one quarter to one half depending on the sharing/downloading scenario.

The inclusion of Digital Serial Numbers (DSNs) in online content would deter illegal downloading among 33% and illegal uploading among 52% of respondents. Among all consumers, a small but noticeable number – fewer than one in five – would increase their purchases of physical media (CDs and DVDs).

Reasons given for continuing to download despite the presence of DSNs are, in decreasing order of importance: “I do not download enough to be caught”, “the online community will remove DSNs”, “DSNs will not be enforced strongly enough to make a difference” and “my downloading would remain the same as a statement of principle”.

Consumer acceptance of DSNs is relatively high: four out of five consumers generally agree that DSNs provide a solution that is “less cumbersome”, “a better balance between consumer needs and copyright protections”, and “gives [consumers] more freedom than Digital Rights Management (DRM)”.

[Date Added: Jul 31, 2009 ]