It's Complicated

There used to be a time where going to the movies would be considered an outing. There was time where the hype from a summer blockbuster film would have movie goers waiting in long lines to get tickets before they were sold out. Now these times are slowly changing. Digital media is increasing making it easier for consumers to access content through online streaming and file sharing. The film industry has found itself having to protect their content through legal action in order to control piracy issues. They are also realizing that piracy may never be completely controlled therefore they have to come with other new business models in order to continue to make a profit.

Online piracy is becoming a major issue in the Hollywood industry. The article Off New York Streets, Film Piracy Is Online showed a “ study by the Motion Picture Association of America found that in 2005, $18.2 billion was lost through piracy by producers, distributors, theaters, video stores and pay-per-view operators around the world.” This article goes on to express that piracy is not even soo much a problem in the streets but that is safer and easier to get content staright from the internet.

I came across an issue where film studios took legal action to protect their content. According to the article Film Studios Force BT To Block Piracy Site .Hollywood film studio won the case in the British High Court and it resulted in Britain having to cut off internet access to people who tried download pirated films. The particular site that was block was called Newzbin2. Though this site did not actually carry the illegal content it did lists sites where its members could download free programming. Film studios felt that Britain should block this site with the same technology the use for child abuse sex sites. Britain argued against this claim. They stated “There would be nothing to stop countless other claimants coming forward demanding that BT block other websites alleged to contain unlawful material” The courts ruled in the interest of the film studios. The company stated “ it clearly shows that right holders need to prove their claims and convince a judge to make a court order”. This was great for ruling for the film industry but the UK internet users believed that this would open up the gate for internet censorship.

Some believe that reason that film studios are losing on money is not because Piracy sites but the Hollywood greed. The article Piracy Isn’t Killing The Movie Industry, Greed Is, the author says that film studios focus is on making money. He mention an incident where Warner Bros. decided not to release DVDs to Netflix until a month after it was release at retail stores. This was in hopes that their DVD sales would increase. The author feels that it did the opposite and caused the increase in piracy. Consumers want a convenient, high quality product that is set at a good price. In order for film studios to still remain relevant they have to accommodate these needs.

Film studios recognize that with the advancing technology piracy with continue to be a problem. They are coming up with new business model schemes that incorporate new age technology. The article Hollywood battles piracy with free movie streams at home talks about a campaign called “ Gull stream ahead “ Blinkbox is the company that started this campaign. Customers that access this website will be given a certain amount of credit to spend on films from studios such as Paramount, Sony Pictures, Universal, 20 th century Fox and Warner Bros. Users can stream their choice of content and watch conveniently from the own computers. Blinkbox feel that this will cut down on piracy.

I personally don't agree with online piracy. I want to one day work with film and movies. the threat of piracy scares me because it will affect me financially. If I don't make profits off of my films then I wont have enough money to continue my career. The only plus side of piracy is that it may force film to have a strong online presence. The article How piracy threatens the movie industry, said thats studios now have to become creative and figure out ways to use the internet to make profits. it suggest to charge people to screen film through online sources. This approach could open the door form independent filmmakers making easier for them to produce and market their films as well.

Below are videos that talk about piracy and the film industry.