Saturday, May 4, 2013

Jong Beom Cho_Copyright_Tue 9AM

Copyright

 

Everyone likes freebies. The same logic applies to the intellectual properties such as films, documents, songs. Although producers and originators of such properties seldom give their products out for free, people find a loophole and try to acquire them without paying. There are regulations for the violation of the copyright law; however, it is still widely practiced around the world. Despite the law and regulations, the numbers are growing steadily. This shows that current regulation system is highly ineffective and it calls for a new system to manage the rising dispute about the copyright.

 

             First thing to break down is a question of "why do people rebel against the copyright law?" It is a same as buying groceries at a supermarket and paying for one's phone bill. However, people are strangely sensitive when it comes to paying for intellectual property. It is because of the risk. Often many goods and services we willingly buy are free from risk. We are able to measure them thoroughly and there are many certificates and quality control system that tells people something is worth buying. However, when it comes to intellectual property, the risk is often very high. In other words, it is very hard for the public to judge the item before they purchase it. For instance, one can never know how much Ironman 3 will increase one's utility. Therefore, people try desperately to avoid the risk and go for the risk-free way of trying the film: illegal download. Thus, we must understand that it is the concept of risk that is driving people to become an outlaw in the world of copyright.

 

             Since it is risk that people are scared of the obvious way to resolve the copyright issue is by eliminating the risk. Of course, there are some measures being taken to reduce the risk, such as previews and samples. However, consumers are highly skeptic about the marketing schemes and in order to get them to open their wallet is getting more and more difficult. The current regulation system ignores these consumer behaviors entirely and trying to force them to buy things they cannot trust or think too risky. To get the consumers to pay, we must make them feel it is fair. Therefore, more market base approach must be made so that the consumer will feel they are not being ripped off.

 

             In an auction, every item's price is determined by people. Consumers decide the fair price. In contrast, intellectual properties are pre-priced by the originator and leave no room for people to negotiate the price, therefore, making consumers feel they are taking a great risk and increase their doubt about the product. To solve this there must be some kind of auction system in the market for intellectual property. Then people will be able to pay what they think is enough and will feel less risky.

             To settle the dispute about the copyright matter, a market oriented approach must be taken. Only market can decrease the consumer risk and set the right price. In addition, market system will in a big picture bring what was the real of the underground economy into a realm of legal and fair trade. Regulating people's behavior by whip is almost never effective. In short term it may show some result but in long run it will wipe out the entire industry. We must provide carrots for people, in other word, make them decide what is right. It is the only way to create a sustainable system.

3 comments:

  1. from Yujin Park to Jon beom Cho

    1.  What I like about this piece of writing is the introduction part. You pointed out the ineffective current regulation system of free downloading.  It attracts my attention to your essay and it’s very interesting part.

    2.  Your main point seems that in order to settle the dispute about the copyright matter, a market oriented approach must be taken.

    3.  These particular words or lines struck me as powerful:

    Of course, there are some measures being taken to reduce the risk, such as previews and samples. However, consumers are highly skeptic about the marketing schemes and in order to get them to open their wallet is getting more and more difficult. I like this sentence because it explains well to know what is the current regulation system’s problem is.

    4. Your essay is very interesting and well organized. one thing I'd like to advise you is to add more supporting ideas on your opinion.

    Thank you for an interesting essay!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Everyone likes freebies. The same logic applies to the intellectual properties such as films, documents, songs. Although producers and originators of such properties seldom give their products out for free, people find a loophole and try to acquire them without paying. There are regulations for the violation of the copyright law; however, it is still widely practiced around the world. Despite the law and regulations, the numbers are growing steadily. This shows that current regulation system is highly ineffective and it calls for a new system to manage the rising dispute about the copyright.

    First thing to break down is a question of "why do people rebel against the copyright law?" At a glance it seems there is no difference from buying groceries at a supermarket or paying for one's phone bill. However, people are strangely sensitive when it comes to paying for intellectual property. It is because of the risk. Often many goods and services we willingly buy are free or safe from risk. We are able to measure most products thoroughly. There are even certificates and quality control system to assure people that they are worth buying. However, when it comes to intellectual property, the risk is often very high and hidden. In other words, it is very hard for the public to judge the item before they purchase and open it. For instance, one can never know how much Ironman 3 will increase one's utility at the moment they buy the ticket. The moment of truth is revealed when one actually leaves the theater. There is not a single clue at the point of buying ticket about how interesting and well-made movie it will be. Therefore, people try desperately to avoid the risk and go for the risk-free way of trying the film: illegal download. Thus, we must understand that it is the concept of risk that is driving people to become an outlaw in the world of copyright.

    Since it is risk that people are scared of the obvious way to resolve the copyright issue is by eliminating the risk. Of course, there are some measures being taken to reduce the risk, such as previews and samples. However, consumers are highly skeptic about the marketing schemes and getting them to open their wallet is becoming more and more difficult. The current regulation system ignores these consumer behaviors entirely by forcing them to buy things they still think are too risky. So, to get the consumers to pay willingly, we must make them feel it is fair and safe. Therefore, like every other ordinary items out there, market based approach must be taken so that consumers will feel they are not being ripped off.

    ReplyDelete
  3. In an auction, every item's price is determined by people. Consumers decide the fair price. In contrast, intellectual properties are pre-priced by the originator and leave no room for people to negotiate the price. In other words, supplier has all the power and consumers are left with no option to pay the price they demand. This system makes consumers feel they are taking a great risk and doubt about the product. To solve auction system must be introduced to the market for intellectual property. Then people will decide what the fair price for the item is which means that they will feel less risky and not feeling like they are overpaying. To sum up, current market for intellectual property is unhealthy since supplier has all the power. Therefore, some of the pricing power must be yielded to the consumers to normalize the market.
    To settle the dispute about the copyright matter, a market oriented approach must be taken. Only market can decrease the consumer risk and set the right price. In addition, market system will in a big picture bring what was the real of the underground economy into a realm of legal and fair trade. Regulating people's behavior by whip is almost never effective. In short term it may show some result but in long run it will wipe out the entire industry. We must provide carrots for people, in other word, make them decide what is right. It is the only way to create a sustainable system.

    ReplyDelete