By Lee Pfeiffer
Writer Tom Doctoroff provides a compelling report on the serious problem with the illegal DVD trade in China and why studios are fighting a hopeless battle to control the situation. The first aspect of the problem is the fact that, as with all totalitarian nations, even the "new, improved" China still has draconian limits on what types of information and entertainment people can access. This was far easier to enforce in the pre-Internet age when it was possible to restrict the flow of information. However, despite China's best efforts, the population has been exposed to the tidal wave of technological advances that has swept the world, and in the process has gained even greater access to Western entertainment such as music and movies. The result has been an insatiable appetite on the part of the public for illegal CDs and DVDs. This has had a devastating impact on potential profits in the music and film industries. China has been sanctioned by the World Trade Organization for making half-hearted, anemic attempts at controlling piracy. In fact, the nation relies on the revenues that piracy brings into local economies. Secondly, as Tom Doctoroff points out, this isn't just a matter of the public being able to buy bootlegs for a cheaper price. Under China's autocratic policies, the types of Western movies and music that are all the rage would never be allowed to be sold legally because they are officially considered to be deviant or subversive.
Doctoroff makes the argument that a partial solution would be for the studios to radically reduce prices on legal distribution of videos and music in order to put a dent in the wallets of pirates. If people can buy a pristine, professional version of a movie or song, then they are more likely to pay a modest premium for it. This would benefit non-controversial entertainment but still wouldn't solve the situation pertaining to government censorship. Doctoroff also points out the fact that there is an inherent benefit to even pirated entertainment: it helps spread Western values to totalitarian nations. This won't mean much to corporate bean-counters, but may ultimately result in important political changes. For the article click here