Dootson and Suzor (2015)

From Copyright EVIDENCE

Advertising Architectural Publishing of books, periodicals and other publishing Programming and broadcasting Computer programming Computer consultancy Creative, arts and entertainment Cultural education Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities

Film and motion pictures Sound recording and music publishing Photographic activities PR and communication Software publishing Video game publishing Specialised design Television programmes Translation and interpretation

1. Relationship between protection (subject matter/term/scope) and supply/economic development/growth/welfare 2. Relationship between creative process and protection - what motivates creators (e.g. attribution; control; remuneration; time allocation)? 3. Harmony of interest assumption between authors and publishers (creators and producers/investors) 4. Effects of protection on industry structure (e.g. oligopolies; competition; economics of superstars; business models; technology adoption) 5. Understanding consumption/use (e.g. determinants of unlawful behaviour; user-generated content; social media)

A. Nature and Scope of exclusive rights (hyperlinking/browsing; reproduction right) B. Exceptions (distinguish innovation and public policy purposes; open-ended/closed list; commercial/non-commercial distinction) C. Mass digitisation/orphan works (non-use; extended collective licensing) D. Licensing and Business models (collecting societies; meta data; exchanges/hubs; windowing; crossborder availability) E. Fair remuneration (levies; copyright contracts) F. Enforcement (quantifying infringement; criminal sanctions; intermediary liability; graduated response; litigation and court data; commercial/non-commercial distinction; education and awareness)

Source Details

Dootson and Suzor (2015)
Title: The Game of Clones and the Australia Tax: Divergent Views about Copyright Business Models and the Willingness of Australian Consumers to Infringe
Author(s): Dootson, P., Suzor, N.
Year: 2015
Citation: Dootson, P. and Suzor, N. (2015) The Game of Clones and the Australia Tax: Divergent Views about Copyright Business Models and the Willingness of Australian Consumers to Infringe. University of New South Wales Law Journal 38.
Link(s): Definitive
Key Related Studies:
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About the Data
Data Description: The study consists of 29 semi-structured interviews, which examined how consumers justified acceptable, unacceptable, or questionable consumption behaviours. Participant selection was conducted through snowball sampling.
Data Type: Primary data
Secondary Data Sources:
Data Collection Methods:
Data Analysis Methods:
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Cross Country Study?: No
Comparative Study?: No
Literature review?: No
Government or policy study?: No
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Abstract

“This article presents qualitative evidence that substantiates a common intuition: one of the major reasons that Australians seek out illicit downloads of content like Game of Thrones in such numbers is that it is more difficult to access legitimately in Australia. The geographically segmented way in which copyright is exploited at an international level has given rise to a ‘tyranny of digital distance’, where Australians have less access to copyright goods than consumers in other countries. Compared to consumers in the US and the EU, Australians pay more for digital goods, have less choice in distribution channels, are exposed to substantial delays in access, and are sometimes denied access completely. In this article we focus our analysis on premium film and television offerings, like Game of Thrones, and through semi-structured interviews, explore how choices in distribution impact on the willingness of Australian consumers to seek out infringing copies of copyright material. Game of Thrones provides an excellent case study through which to frame this analysis: it is both one of the least legally accessible television offerings and one of the most downloaded through filesharing networks of recent times. Our analysis shows that at the same time as rightsholder groups, particularly in the film and television industries, are lobbying for stronger laws to counter illicit distribution, the business practices of their member organisations are counter-productively increasing incentives for consumers to infringe.”

Main Results of the Study

Inaccessibility of content as a result of geographical constraints is a major motivating factor in willingness to infringe copyright. Australia may particularly suffer from a lack of available content (through delays or otherwise), compounded by high transaction costs for licensing of foreign content and lack of competitive streaming services (compared with e.g. the US).Programmes such as Game of Thrones, which create a global “cultural buzz” introduce a social experience element which can leave consumers feeling “left out of the global discussion” if they have no legitimate means of participating (e.g. risk of exposure to spoilers if consumers are unable to afford a premium cable package). When rightsholders fail to meet the demand this generates, consumers feel that infringement is morally justifiable. Respondents to the study also demonstrated a willingness to pay where possible, and would prefer to utilise more morally acceptable tools such as VPNs or proxy servers to circumvent geoblocking. As this circumvention is relatively simple, and more in keeping with typical business transactions, consumers view this as a better alternative to infringement.

Policy Implications as Stated By Author

The authors conclude that a market-based response to infringement is preferable to increased enforcement through legislation. As consumers’ perceptions of behaviour change in response to whether a market is considered “fair”, increased sanctions are likely to contribute to an image of unfairness, and therefore such methods are not capable of challenging any normative behaviours. Removal of outdated geoblocking in the global context, and increasing competition, are a more viable means of ensure consumers will perceive the market as fair, and be less likely to infringe.


Coverage of Study

Coverage of Fundamental Issues
Issue Included within Study
Relationship between protection (subject matter/term/scope) and supply/economic development/growth/welfare
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Relationship between creative process and protection - what motivates creators (e.g. attribution; control; remuneration; time allocation)?
Harmony of interest assumption between authors and publishers (creators and producers/investors)
Effects of protection on industry structure (e.g. oligopolies; competition; economics of superstars; business models; technology adoption)
Understanding consumption/use (e.g. determinants of unlawful behaviour; user-generated content; social media)
Green-tick.png
Coverage of Evidence Based Policies
Issue Included within Study
Nature and Scope of exclusive rights (hyperlinking/browsing; reproduction right)
Exceptions (distinguish innovation and public policy purposes; open-ended/closed list; commercial/non-commercial distinction)
Mass digitisation/orphan works (non-use; extended collective licensing)
Licensing and Business models (collecting societies; meta data; exchanges/hubs; windowing; crossborder availability)
Fair remuneration (levies; copyright contracts)
Enforcement (quantifying infringement; criminal sanctions; intermediary liability; graduated response; litigation and court data; commercial/non-commercial distinction; education and awareness)
Green-tick.png

Datasets

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