Changing attitudes on digital copyright

Michael Rogers, the Practical Futurist, at MSNBC.com: Changing attitudes on digital copyright. Readers respond to Practical Futurist column (a review of Darknet). Excerpt:

Memo to Hollywood: Based on reader reaction to last week’s column, "Will Hollywood Lock up Our Movies?," you may actually be able to avoid the online fate of the recording industry. ... But you’re going to have to choose copy protection that gives buyers flexibility, along with a whole lot of consumer education. And under no circumstances use Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez as spokespeople for the cause.

The reader reaction, in an unscientific way, suggests a distinct attitude shift since I last addressed the issue of digital piracy in 2003. Back then, my suggestion that the music industry had a right to protect its intellectual property brought a barrage of e-mail, ranging from self-righteous to outright nasty, running more than 90 percent against the industry.

This time — with movies folded into the mix — there’s been another barrage of e-mail, but this time about 60 percent is in favor of reasonable digital copy protection.