I copy my CD music library to my computer and iPod and the music industry has no problem with it. I copy my DVD library to my computer and iPod and I'm breaking the law. Yes, technically it's because in copying the DVD I'm breaking the copy protection and with the CD I'm not. But don't we have a double standard, here? A tech-journalism pal of mine maintains that the reason none of the studios have gone after users for this kind of infringement is that it likely wouldn't hold up in court, and would open up the floodgates. So they ignore it.
For the consumer, it gets frustrating to be told you must purchase the same content over and over again, particularly when there's little perceived added value. Upgrading LPs to CDs was "worth it" for most people because of the improved sound quality, durability and portability. But telling me I have to buy an additional copy of a video product for viewing on my iPod, after I've already purchased the DVD, just comes across as greedy. Giving me the flexibility to do what I want with your product after I purchase it adds value. Restricting my use creates an adversarial relationship of perceived greediness, and if you're going to be greedy and waste my time, well, I won't feel so bad about hunting down a tool to undo your copy protection or finding a copy that someone else has already unlocked.
Craig is right on the money, here. Make the content cheap enough that it's worth my time to buy it rather than waste time hunting down a copy. That's what's made the Apple Music Store a success, when virtually all of its content is available for free from illegal file sharing systems. When given the opportunity, people want to do the right thing.
Dave Bittner ---------------------------------------------------------------------- You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at FreeLists.org
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