Closing accounts won’t solve illegal downloads

Internet law changes alone will not stop New Zealanders from illegally downloading copyrighted content, a TelstraClear survey shows.

A survey of 1048 internet users aged between 18 and 70 found the time lapse between the release of content, such as music and movies, in the United States then in New Zealand was a key reason illegal downloading and copying took place.

The price of buying the content legally also had an impact on illegal downloads, respondents said.

The survey asked New Zealanders what copyright content they copied or downloaded, how often, what regard they had for copyright content and what would deter them from accessing it illegally.

Results would help shape TelstraClear's response to a proposal to replace Section 92a of the Copyright Act with a requirement that internet service providers (ISPs) close customer accounts or remove material from the internet if accused of copyright infringement.

Nearly half of the households interviewed said they had peer-to-peer file-sharing software on their computer.

More than 80 percent of respondents admitted to illegally downloading or copying music, followed by 49 percent for software, 35 percent for movies and 31 percent for games.

The majority said they only copied or downloaded content occasionally, with 32 percent doing it more than once a month.

While 48 percent said being caught by police and fined would deter them from the activity and 43 percent said their internet being disconnected for repeat offending would be effective, more than half of respondents said neither measure was significant enough to stop internet copyright infringement.

To prevent illegal downloading, the respondents suggested "try before you buy" models, the ability to access music on a per-track basis at a reasonable prices, and changing the scope of copyright laws.

NZPA