CornerScribe

Piercing the peer–to–peer myths: An examination of the Canadian experience

Link: Piercing the peer–to–peer myths: An examination of the Canadian experience.

I imagine virtually everyone has read or heard about the music and movie industries’ push to tighten copyright laws because of peer to peer file sharing. I’m not convinced that it’s really had a big effect on either industry — I’d argue that most people who copy songs or movies wouldn’t have bought them in any case, so there’s no real loss to the companies. Of course, the companies in question feel differently.

To me, the important question is how this will effect the book industry. How long before we can download an illegal copy of just about any book we want? Is that a real loss to the publisher and author? If I had no intention of buying the book, ever, then if I get an electronic copy for my PDA, how is that different than borrowing from a library or friend?

As a writer, I certainly want to be paid for my work. However, I also realize there’s value in being popular, even when that popularity comes as a result of people sharing my work illegally. Should I find a way to entice my readers to buy my books, or should I seek to punish them for reading them without first paying the price?

I don’t think it’s a good idea to treat your fans like criminals. The person who’s downloaded three of your novels without paying may tick you off, but remember, isn’t he more likely to buy your next one because he enjoys your work?

I believe that it’s only a matter of time before the publishing industry faces exactly what the music and movie industries have faced over the last years. Writers and publishers should take a good look at how they’ve handled it and not make those same mistakes.