Don't trivialise the piracy fight

EDITORIAL

Published: 8 Jan 2013 at 00.00
Newspaper section: News

The cabinet is scheduled to debate today a proposed new bill from the Intellectual Property (IP) Department. The proposal on the seemingly never-ending subject of IP piracy has several parts but one is unique. It would specifically ban the use of video cameras, including on smartphones, to record movies inside a cinema. Large fines and possible prison sentences would punish violators.

The cinema-copying ban is described by the IP Department as a primary purpose of the new bill. While there are excellent reasons to address the serious question of IP piracy, this one is curious. According to IP officials and to US government documents, it boils down to this. The filmmakers of Hollywood consider that low-quality smartphone copies of their released movies are cutting into their profits. They complained to the US government, which has complained to Thailand.

This trivialises the entire piracy issue. Banning the re-recording of first-run movies in Bangkok cinemas is hardly the top problem of the day. Yet the so-called "camera recording bill" took up a considerable amount of time of the IP Department and the Office of the Prosecution. Soon, assuming the cabinet passes it on today, it will be put to parliament.

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tamsin
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Discussion 7 : 08 Jan 2013 at 11.517
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On the other hand ... If there weren't pirated software, only those wealthy enough would have access to the internet. So that cuts out around a third of the planet.

And. A lot of that 'intellectual property', ie movies, are not 'intellectual' at all. In fact, they're a rip off.
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robins
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Discussion 6 : 08 Jan 2013 at 11.276
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@Discussion 3 Just a clue, I would not have mentioned the USA but for the fact they are mentioned near the top of the article in a manner which suggests they are the driving force behind this. @Discussion 2 Must like prescription drugs, movies and music should be protected for a stated time, then become public domain as part of our culture. Hollywood selling 40 year old movies for about the equivalent of 800 Baht is pure greed that does not deserve protection.
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pete
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Discussion 5 : 08 Jan 2013 at 09.445
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Go to almost any IT store and you’ll find computers with pirated versions of Windows software, as used by government agencies, immigration offices, schools etc. If government use it how can they stop anyone else?
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geoffo
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Discussion 4 : 08 Jan 2013 at 08.364
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Nattawut should survey the use of pirated software in Thai Government offices, policeforce and schools.

Some winning opportunities there I think.
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djay
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Discussion 3 : 08 Jan 2013 at 07.463
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D1, just a clue - IP isn't only the US.
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brilliant
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Discussion 2 : 08 Jan 2013 at 07.252
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robins - obviously you've never worked for a company or yourself where huge investments are made to develop IP. IP has ownership rights just as much as real property you own. So can I use your car or property without your permission?
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robins
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Discussion 1 : 08 Jan 2013 at 06.381
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The mania of the American Government when it comes to complaining about this IP issue really shows the power corporate money can buy there, and when you think about it, that's a form of corruption far worse than the petty kickbacks to bureaucrats we read about here.
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Don't trivialise the piracy fight | Bangkok Post: opinion