Pirated Pirates
DVD and CD piracy is a multi million pound business with the latest blockbuster films available before they are released. Reporter James Johnson looks at the impact of the pirates…
'The Pirates Of the Caribbean: At Worlds End' has hit the cinemas and despite the hype it has had some very mixed reviews. The film has already made £401million and smashed box office records, there are more stars in it than the Milky Way and coupled with the amazing computer graphics it proves excellent viewing.
However Pirates of the Caribbean Three and many other new film releases will be subject to real pirates! Film piracy is a massive business in the UK and people still choose to buy the DVDs despite their poor quality, to avoid paying the high cost in price of new films and to get the movie before everyone else. I think that the reasons why people choose to buy knocked off DVDs make sense in some ways. The films are too expensive and why should we have to wait months to see movies that are already out in America? With all the new computer technology available it's easier than ever to copy a disc. People are selling pirate copies everywhere from car boot sale’s to markets. Many people have the opinion that it’s not harming anyone by choosing to buy a pirate DVD /CD / Videogame, or that copying a friends disc and selling it on or broadcasting it is O.K.
However they couldn't be more wrong! The Companies that make all the big movies we watch loose around £401million a year because of film piracy. That money could be used to make bigger movie's like another Shrek, Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter. In turn criminals that sell pirate copies collectively earn around £270 million a year. Piracy is a real crime, punishable by up to ten years imprisonment. FACT or 'Federation Against Copyright Theft' is large organisation that deals with the issue of raising awareness of and stamping out piracy. In 2006 FACT seized over 1.5 million pirate copies intended for sale to the public. Sgt Neil Kimber, Kent Police said, "The illegal sales of counterfeit goods have financial implications for those who are trying to make an honest living. People engaging in these counterfeit offences quite often do not realise that all offences carry a sentence of up to 10yrs.
I would rather see lots of amazing films and games coming out rather than there being less of them because of piracy. Should you think twice about copying and mate’s computer game or buying a counterfeit DVD? Unfortunately getting hold of the latest movie, game or CD before it has officially come out seems to be the latest trend among young people.
I went out into Hereford and asked some people young people about what they thought:
Name: Duncan
Age: 15
Would you ever consider buying a Pirate Copy of a movie? Yes I would consider buying one but it would depend on the quality.
Why? If it’s a new film and it’s not out yet then yeah I would ‘cos I would get it before everyone else.
Did you know it was illegal to copy one of your friend’s game or DVD and sell it? No! I had no idea.
Name: Kelly
Age: 15
Would you consider buying a pirate copy of a movie? Yeah definitely, I mean if I didn't do it (copy the disc) then it’s not me that’s to blame.
Why do you think people buy pirated copies? It’s cheaper and easier to do instead of going to high street shop.
