Ahoy Pirates – Don’t Copy That Floppy!

 video by AntiSoftwarePirates

In yesterday’s tutorial we discussed anti-piracy advertising, and as a group evaluated the effectiveness of it. It was interesting to see the different approaches the governing anti-piracy bodies used to promote their message. The main thing all of them seemed to have in common was their ineffectiveness!

Some choose the fear approach, using the threat of being arrested or heavy monetary penalties. There were a ridiculous amount of videos on YouTube mocking the overdramatic feel of the ads, highlighting that no one took them seriously. In our class discussion, a few people told of how they laughed when they first saw the ad, didn’t take any notice and simply found it a bother. I personally fast-forward through it when its on before a movie.

photo by Trevor Choy

I think its ineffective and even laughable to advertise it like this because of how we all view piracy – not as a crime, but rather as a means of getting the movies, music and games that we like quickly and easily. Comparing it to stealing a car or woman’s purse is detached in meaning because they seem such a drastic step away in terms of how bad they are. To steal a car, means you are leaving one person hurt and inconvenienced, and they will follow it through and the chances of you getting caught are greater. To To ‘steal’ or pirate music or video however, its just a matter of tapping some buttons on a screen and getting instant gratification. The offences of ‘stealing’ in the real world and ‘stealing’ online seem to far removed for us to make a connection.

Celebrities were another approach taken to speak against piracy, such as Jack Black telling us ‘don’t be a douche’ and rock band Metallica speaking up about the damages piracy causes to the media industry. An interesting point was raised by someone in our group – using wealthy, already established celebrities such as this does little to help their cause. The message doesn’t get through to the average consumer because they feel alienated. CD prices may not be much to most people, even the majority of illegal downloaders, but to others they are a luxury they can’t afford and thus they go to other means, and don’t want to feel bad about it.

photo by Abdat

There were trivial, comical approaches such as the video I have included above ‘Don’t Copy That Floppy’, part 1 & 2. Although these advertisements were from the 1990s it is alarming to think that the SIIA (Software & Information Industry Association) believed these ads would sent a strong, serious message about the dangers of piracy.

I also learnt in the lecture that in France, if you illegally download material from the Internet, your IP address is traced and your Internet is cut off! I think if the Australian government were very intent on cracking down (I really hope they’re not!) on piracy, this forceful approach is the only thing that will deter people from piracy.

photo by Monscooch