We have all the evidence. Some of the studies (such as those from the BSA) include the methodology which is clearly flawed. Follow nonsense mathematics and no matter what numbers you put in you get garbage out.

In the case of software I know for a fact that the BSA study includes the growing Free/Libre and Open Source Software marketplace in their concept of “theft”. All that they are measuring is the number of new computers shipped to customers that didn’t install “software manufacturing” software (Microsoft Windows, Apple MacOS-X, Microsoft Office, Adobe,etc). On none of the computers that I own or support for customers is there any software from these companies, so each computer I purchase counts in their statistics as “theft”.

We can’t, however, give “proof” of how many copies this represents as the most successful alternative business models don’t have any reasons to count copies in the first place at all as that is not part of the model.

IE: If I give you copy of TheOpenCD.org to install on your Windows computer (I give these out as a substitute for business cards), it clearly says on the CD to “Please Share This Disk”. This means you are supposed to make copies, and not only does nobody consider these copies to be “piracy” but that everyone in this alternative marketplace considers this to be our primary customer building and marketing tool.

It is also dribble to call us anti-copyright activists. I am a software author that is as dependent on copyright as Microsoft is. The difference is that they are using a *BUSINESS MODEL* that only made sense in the 1980’s and earlier, and I’m using a business model that is tuned for the future. Dinosaurs should not be allowed to control evolution, which is what the copyright debates are about — not so-called “piracy”.

The real point is that “piracy statistics” aren’t worthwhile to try to figure out. The issue is not how many illegal copies are being made, but the fact that these dinosaurs are still relying on outdated business models which are out-of-touch with the new economy.

I do hope those “in the know” will participate. Write letters to the editor EACH time you see the media getting it wrong, and let all your friends know as well. Sign petitions, talk to your government representatives, and inform them as well as they live in ivory towers generally disconnected from everyday life (and too connected to industry lobbiests who have the funds to force themselves in front of politicians).

BTW: On the Live 8 concerts I wrote a letter to the prime minister:

http://www.digital-copyright.ca/discuss/5307

and what a story it was

Put up or shut up on what the actual piracy statistics are rather than, without any evidence at all, alleging they are wrong

i have – from the cartels.

Sorry

Almost all the software I use on my computer is freeware. Because they are freeware, I admit I have more program than I need. For example, I have several version of text editors, graphics viewers, graphics editors, 3 audio players, and so on. Since each of these installed programs means a lost in sale to the cartel, then I should feel bad about what I do, copying all those freeware programs?

Then I too should feel bad by going to free concerts. These also means loss of sales to the $100 per seat concerts (usually inferior to the free ones) I do not attend?

Then, by the logic of the cartel, these (freeware programs, public domain music, free concerts) should all be outlawed because they reduce the profits of the “legitimate” industry, the cartels?

There is no such thing as a loss of sale because someone decides not to buy a product or service. This is becasue the sale was never made to begin with and if the sale was never made it is because the potential customer is a free person that decides when and how to part with his money. To pretend otherwise is foolish. It is to pretend that customers can be forced to buy, that they are not free. I never heard so much nonsense.

Rafael Venegas
http://www.gvenegas.com

But maybe I should have said “gullible and complicit”.

Cheers!

IMHO the word “gullible” should be replaced with COMPLICIT.
There may be a few journalists/news organizations out there who have been living under a rock for 5 years or so, but by and large they know exactly what the truth is behind the lies and half-truths they perpetuate. It would actually be a comfort to be able to believe they are just gullible saps, parroting whatever tripe they are fed. Some reporters may be getting pressured to “tow the line” and present only the industry supported version of the story, but they’re not dumb, they know what they are doing, and it is by no means limited to news concerning “piracy”.

com·plic·it
adj.
Associated with or participating in a questionable act or a crime; having complicity: newspapers complicit with the propaganda arm of a dictatorship.

If they are going by speed burning figures to make a report of x amount of (equivalent) burners taken off, what will they do with read back speeds? I mean, you gotta reader that might run 52x. Does that mean if you have a movie that wasn’t purchased that you have “abused” the movie 52 times in one viewing? Who in their right mind would want to watch such drivel 52 times? Maybe this is where they are getting their piracy figures from, eh?