Steinmetz and Tunnell (2013)
Contents
Source Details
Steinmetz and Tunnell (2013) | |
Title: | Under the Pixelated Jolly Roger: A Study of On-Line Pirates |
Author(s): | Steinmetz, K. F., Tunnell, K. D. |
Year: | 2013 |
Citation: | Steinmetz, K. F., & Tunnell, K. D. (2013). Under the pixelated Jolly Roger: A study of on-line pirates. Deviant Behavior, 34(1), 53-67. |
Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
Key Related Studies: | |
Discipline: | |
Linked by: |
About the Data | |
Data Description: | This study focused on an internet discussion board regarding digital piracy. Data was collected over a three-month period on 90 active threads on two boards, General Discussion and Serious Discussion & Debate. |
Data Type: | Primary data |
Secondary Data Sources: | |
Data Collection Methods: | |
Data Analysis Methods: | |
Industry(ies): | |
Country(ies): | |
Cross Country Study?: | Yes |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | No |
Government or policy study?: | No |
Time Period(s) of Collection: |
|
Funder(s): |
Abstract
Digital piracy—a type of copyright infringement—is a global phenomenon that allegedly contains grave economic consequences for intellectual property industries. Its pervasiveness has produced a global piracy subculture. This article describes our study of digital pirates who actively participate in an on-line discussion board dedicated to copyright infringement. It explores their motivations, techniques of neutralization, and contradictions within a community-wide belief system. Motivations among this group include a desire to share content, to sample content before purchasing, to acquire intellectual property that is unaffordable, and to subvert copyright law. We then apply Sykes and Matza's (1957) techniques of neutralization. Finally, we discuss contradictions within this group's belief systems; specifically acceptance and rejection of capitalism and state power and formal control.
Main Results of the Study
Digital piracy stems from various motivations:
- Desire to share content and culture
- Desire to sample content before purchase
- Desire to undermine entertainment industry and copyright law
- Inability to afford content
Actors within pirating communities use various forms of neutralizing thought patterns to justify illegal downloading. These belief patterns can be contradictory, such as supporting some forms of criminal law enforcement while disapproving of enforcement of copyright law.
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
A better understanding of the digital pirating community and motivations for illegal downloading can fuel improved law and policy.
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 90 |
Level of aggregation: | Threads |
Period of material under study: | Not stated |