Randolph Following on from yesterday’s rant is a much shorter note, which holds for software, music and video piracy.
I’ve just read an article on TechCrunch today about studios delaying the rental of DVDs for 30 days after their release, which is an interesting read in itself.
What jumped out at me is this: If you make it easier for people to get access to software, music and video content (e.g. iTunes, Netflix, Redbox), there is less chance of piracy.
I am not afraid to pay for content, but I have a serious problem with restrictions placed on me – why am I not allowed to buy games for my iPhone in South Africa? Why can I not access already-broadcast television shows on the Internet from South Africa?
That is why people are software, music and video pirates. Not because piracy is free (though that is a substantial reason), but because it’s easy.