Piracy
Internet Piracy
What is Piracy?
Piracy on the internet is when intellectual property is copied or illegally downloaded from the web. It also has the potential to be resold for illegal profits.
The Pirates Reasons
People tend to pirate things, (especially TV shows and movies), because they don't want to wait, miss out on online forums/conversations and encounter spoilers on these works. As the internet provides immediate access to these TV shows and movies people do not feel it is necessary to wait and to have their favourite shows spoiled when they could just watch them at the same time.
Top 3 TV Shows Pirated In 2012:
If piracy continues it is likely that film and music producers will no longer be able to continue their production. When people illegally download movies or music it makes it extremely difficult for the producers to earn an income, let alone make a profit.
Implications of Piracy
750,000 jobs and up to 250 billion dollars a year in the American economy could be lost thanks to IP infringement and things like piracy. If piracy continues it is likely that film and music producers will no longer be able to continue their production. When people illegally download movies or music it makes it extremely difficult for the producers to earn an income, let alone make a profit.
Piracy it's a crime
Laws Against Piracy
In Australia, depending on how badly things have pirated, the punishment for piracy can be a fine from 50,000 - 250,000 and a jail sentence of up to two years.