PORTRAIT OF A PIRATE
© Mario Lopes | Dreamstime.com
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-portrait-of-a-pirate-rimagefree1763788-resi2371862
© Mario Lopes | Dreamstime.com
http://www.dreamstime.com/stock-images-portrait-of-a-pirate-rimagefree1763788-resi2371862
When I finished watching the copyright videos my head was spinning an analyzing all sort of facts. First, as you all know I am from Mexico and in my country we have a huge sub-economy that over time has also become a sub-culture, it is known by the name of Piracy. I am not saying this with pride but I am also not saying it with shame. The piracy sub-economy is a reality that in my personal perspective has been generated by a social and economical inequality, as well as, a lack of education and job opportunities in many countries in the world. With this said I am not justifying anything but I am also trying to put some things on the table. The consumerism of piracy products has been adopted as a habit and from there it has seized force. For example, a study done this year in Mexico by the Chamber of Commerce about piracy reflected that 88% of Mexicans between ages 17 and 60 consume pirated products. The 75% of these people do it because of the accessible price of these products that are in most cases very affordable in comparison the expensive OEM versions.
I think that piracy is a really difficult sub-economy to combat. Many people and commerce organizations are trying to plan a strategy to counter Piracy effects. I think that their challenge is huge since it is almost impossible to compete with the low prices that this sub-economy offers. The most important television station in Mexico is doing a great advertising campaign to create awareness among the population. Another campaign effort takes place when you purchase a DVD where at the beginning before the menu appears there is type of commercial where children call the attention of their parents and compare piracy to stealing and the message implies that parents should not set such example for their children as they would in turn be ashamed of their parents and exposed to a crime. Hopefully this helps a little bit but I can’t see the end of this sub economy until many economic and social problems are solved.
It's incredible how far piracy has infiltrated our cultures, even more so with the increase of video on the web. I did find it interesting that the statistics that have been quoted throughout the US as to the impact of this sub-economy have basically been made up. Because of its nature its difficult, if not impossible, to gather reliable data as to the extent or the impact.
I did appreciate the approach that was being promoted by the Nigerians interviewed. Rather than attempting to eliminate the piracy they wanted to legitimize it. Their reasoning being that the biggest part of those making use of pirated materials are also the biggest fans and while pursuing them legally may hinder them it won't stop them and will only further hinder the economy by adding their food, shelter, etc to the bill being paid by taxpayers. If we could somehow figure out a mutually beneficial way to work together, I think this would help eliminate some of the huge economic gap in those purchasing pirated materials versus legal copyrighted materials.
I did appreciate the approach that was being promoted by the Nigerians interviewed. Rather than attempting to eliminate the piracy they wanted to legitimize it. Their reasoning being that the biggest part of those making use of pirated materials are also the biggest fans and while pursuing them legally may hinder them it won't stop them and will only further hinder the economy by adding their food, shelter, etc to the bill being paid by taxpayers. If we could somehow figure out a mutually beneficial way to work together, I think this would help eliminate some of the huge economic gap in those purchasing pirated materials versus legal copyrighted materials.
