How publishers encourage piracy
By Paul Biba
There is a first rate essay on Booksprung about this topic. I agree with the author 100% in his analysis:
1. By not releasing official digital copies of works online: … I would argue that every time a stubborn author or publisher refuses to release a popular book digitally, she contributes to the wider problem of piracy by helping normalize both the procedures by which one pirates a book and the behavior of reading unauthorized copies.
2. By crippling content so that it only works on one device, or only works if the reader is given permission by a retailer or publisher to open the file …
3. By creating substandard digital editions …
4. By thinking piracy is a solvable problem instead of a manageable one … I suggest the unthinkable: that publishers release digital editions of books before hard cover editions, but at a premium price point that is equal to the hardcover price. After all, prices are elastic, and you can always drop the ebook price to mass market or lower later. (In fact, you’d better if you don’t want consumers to feel cheated, because you can imagine what that will lead to.)
I’ve left a lot out and the essay is well worth reading in its entirety. Thanks to the Reading 2.0 list for the tip.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:02 am
You forgot the link to the original.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:26 am
Here is a link to the article How publishers encourage piracy by Chris Walters, and here is a link to the BookSprung blog.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:30 am
Great points. As Jon said though, we need a link to the original.
My thoughts are that piracy is a symptom, not the problem. When a novel/short story is not released in digital copies, people will take it upon themselves to pirate these works. If people want it, they will get it one way or another.
Stubborn publishers/authors are the problem by not adapting to the rapidly changing technology that is affecting publishing.
The music industry was stubborn as well and didn’t recognize the benefits of digital music until very late in the game. They are still a little resistant.
The results have been a complete disaster. It has reduced the RIAA to suing their own customers and turning the public against them.
I hope publishers/authors get on board the digital bandwagon soon!
October 5th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I’ve fixed “the missing link”.
If only it were so easy to do in paleontology.
October 5th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Brad makes some great points.
Perhaps the words “encouraging piracy” could be modified so that they don’t suggest that piracy is legitimate. It isn’t. No one is entitled to steal. You want something, you should pay for it. If it isn’t available, you should request it.
October 5th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
Paula B. is right. Saying “publishers encourage piracy” is kind of like saying the woman was “asking for it” because she wore a miniskirt.
October 6th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Not it isn’t, because there’s no violence involved. Hope you aren’t going to bring up nazis next.
However, it is rather like saying
‘prohibition encourages black markets’ or even _guarantees_ black markets, humans being humans and all.