(see the quoted and linked post below)
I think the idea of “illegal” downloading sites being like libraries is pretty apt. Most people download movies or tv shows because they missed them on tv or in theaters. The copies available online aren’t fabulous. For the most part the files are .avi, which, without some fancy computer magic, can’t be watched on a tv/dvd player. Most people just download these movies or tv shows to watch once, then delete them. The files are large and take up a lot of hard drive space. There really isn’t much difference between this and a library situation.
If I really love a tv show or movie, I’d much rather buy a copy on dvd than have to watch it on my computer.
The only real differernce I see is in music. Most people who illegally download music do listen to it over and over again and use it as a replacement for buying the actual album. I’ve read a few other articles on the issue, and I think two solutions are relevant: either make the albums worth buying (packaged with extras, music videos, higher sound quality) or go with the choruss example (linked a few posts back) and charge a flat fee for unlimited legal downloading. (Like a library card…but not free).
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