Survey finds that nearly 75% of file-sharers still illegally download copyrighted material, more than half saying they will be “more vigilant then before,” and the remainder taking no new precautions at all, “convinced they will not be identified.”
The first phase of France’s “three-strikes” graduated response system has been in underway for a little over 3 months now and many, myself included, have wondered just what kind of deterrent effect it’s had on illegal file-sharers.
According to a survey conducted by ZDNet.fr, the effect has been dismal, only a meager “4% of Internet users say they have stopped downloading completely because they feel identifiable.”
Some 15% of those surveyed said they continue to download unabated, 9% of which claimed to be “more vigilant then before,” and the remaining 6% taking no new precautions at all, “convinced they will not be identified.”
Even more telling about the futility of the “three-strikes” law is that 80% replied that they never, or almost never, download content illegally at all.
So when taken all together it appears that nearly 75% of file-sharers still illegally download copyrighted material.
It’s worth mentioning just how dismal the plan has been so far because it’s already been cited as the reason why EVERYBODY’S Internet connection will see a rate hike to compensate ISPs for the cost of complying with the legislation.
The second phase, or “strikes,” of the system is set to take effect very soon so things may change, but so far it’s clearly been unsuccessful, and chances are that it’ll remain that why. Why? Because file-sharers have likely already switched to less identifiable methods of file-sharing such as Usenet or encrypting traffic via VPNs, etc..
Stay tuned.
[Hat Tip]
I've been interested in P2P since the early, high-flying days of Napster and KaZaA. I believe that analog copyright laws are ill-suited to the digital age, and that art and culture shouldn't be subject to the whims of international entertainment industry conglomerates. Twitter | Google Plus
