- It seems the obvious holds true, and Netflix directly affected DVD sales.
- Meanwhile, some blatant copyright trolls (this one is worth reading for a most satisfying legal smackdown) are trying to hit Norway. These ones are so egregious the Norwegian industry organization Rights Alliance explicitly disclaims them.
- Although you hardly hear the music or movie press talking about torrents these days, they remain alive, well and stupendously popular, with 32% of all adults watching pirated content, in a survey drenched in movie industry bias and conducted by a “digital security” firm.
(Netflix is more convenient, if it has what you’re after. Convenience is the only weapon that works against piracy. And maybe Bandcamp’s 85% artist’s share, where if you copy it you know you’re depriving the artist of a sandwich personally and feel like a bit of a dick.)
There’s another one — added value or *stuff*. Netflix doesn’t have directors’ commentaries, deleted scenes, and so on. Similarly, I could listen to the Beach Boys’ Smile Sessions box on Spotify, but that doesn’t come with the two books, two vinyl LPs, two singles, and poster that come with the 5-CD version.
So yeah, if I just want to watch an episode of Star Trek right now I’ll use Netflix rather than pirate it, but if I want to watch Spinal Tap I’ll buy the DVD because I know the commentary on that is as good as the film itself.
ooh yes, and that stuff rarely makes it to the torrents either.