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Originally Posted by Dirty Dane
I also think it would be a better idea to motivate consumers with less treatening "awards", rather than pointing fingers as potential infringers. Like, why not give them access to site X or product Y, if they report infringements they find? If models/websites have fans, then they also have a huge potential army of reporters. They just need the right positive motivation - not treats.
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I like the idea of positive motivation, good thought!
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Originally Posted by Dirty Dane
Well, how "global" is it actually? Potential legit customers in many countries/areas have been rejected from even paying for products and subscriptions, because they were considered 'high risk'. And there were no alternative payment methods. Yet, the industry could support itself off the income from western countries. Piracy was limited. But with the arrival of the financial crisis, the piracy has spread significally to 'low risk' countries too.
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This is a very legit point. I would not say "the industry" blocks these countries. It's more the credit card companies block them. I can tell you this from experience ... Many of the high risk countries are high risk for a reason. Dreamnet.com ran it's own merchant account until 2006 when Visa/MC and Discover started cracking down so hard. Then it became to expense with to many hoops to jump through. So we saw every single charge back and it was true that many stolen credit card orders came from the so called "high risk" countries. So it's tough.
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Originally Posted by Dirty Dane
Truly belief in free speech is not only about the freedom to monetize your own work, but also about making that work available to everyone. That is an abused argument (excuse for piracy), but at the same time true.
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I don't think I agree that truly free speech means giving everything you do away free. Have to ponder that one some more.
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Originally Posted by Dirty Dane
Today, as mentioned above, some provide alternative payment access to stolen content. Some are also financing it, from supported ads. It's a "business model" you have to "compete" with, as long politicians give a shit and don't protect you properly.
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Absolutely, I agree totally the business model needs to evolve to complete with the ad supported sites. IMHO that is the largest competitor.
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Originally Posted by Dirty Dane
I'm not saying this because I support piracy, but because it's a partly cause and a fact to face. Just like the market for drugs or other criminalized activities, you can only compete if you force their profit away. To do that, you have to treat customers and affiliates well, set the right prices (price discrimination included) - and most critical; make it available..
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Absolutely, and our buying customers are happy and tell us so. What I disagree with is as I mentioned above the sites thrive off using stolen content and they know it.
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Originally Posted by Dirty Dane
It's also not the 90's anymore. You have to accept that economy and "competition" from social networking and 'real' amateurs (who actually only do it for fun!) affects both the industry income and consumer behaviour. Technology has made this possible, and the commercial industry do not have or can't claim monopoly on development. But that is of course not an excuse for stealing or SUPPORTING the parts that can be tracked back to copyright infringments.
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Again I agree, I have no problem with legit competition.
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Originally Posted by Dirty Dane
I think the commercial adult industry has to look at the big picture, not just 'stop stealing content' and shoot random bullets. Survival is more than "beating the others", also identify and beat your own weakness and failures. In the end, it's self-regulation, not the size or direction of moneyflow, which decide the faith of the entire industry. So the industry needs to define 'what is 'industry' and what is acceptable. On all levels. One place to start, as I said, is for members to sit down and talk at organizations like ASACP. It's not the "Final Solution", but could be a productive start. Otherwise, hostile politicians will finally step in and pull plugs the moment we are most vulnerable.
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Well said!