Internet Piracy: What You Need To Know

Internet piracy is nothing new. In fact, it’s been around since the start of the World Wide Web. So, how did it escalate and what can be done to prevent it? Here’s everything you should know.

What Is Internet Piracy?

Internet piracy is the reproduction and online distribution of copyrighted material (like music, movies and games) without the permission of the owner. In other words, it’s illegal—and if you get caught, you could pay quite the penalty. 

To better understand piracy, let’s imagine you spent the last five years writing a book. After selling three copies of the book, you realized that over 100 people ended up with it. How, you ask? Someone made a copy and started selling it on their own, keeping the profit for themselves. Now, just imagine that on an even larger scale with more resources going into the production and a larger audience who is able to make copies. Not a great feeling, is it? Musicians, movie producers and photographers know that frustration all too well.

Now let’s flip the lens. It’s a Friday night, you’re staying in and getting ready to watch a new movie. Much to your surprise, it’s not available for rent, only purchase—and at $20. For someone on a budget, that’s simply too much. So, you head to your trusty search engine to see where you can rent it. That’s when you see it—“Watch For Free”. Tempting, isn’t it? Especially if you aren’t familiar with piracy and the consequences that come along with it. 

So, when was internet piracy first introduced? When the internet was first introduced and entertainment was readily available at our fingertips, the world couldn’t imagine just how much theft could be done. The exact birthdate of internet piracy is unknown. That said, we can look back to the late 1990s to see when it really started taking off. 

Thanks to companies like Napster, a peer-to-peer file-sharing website, thousands of users were able to download music from their friends, neighbors and even strangers—all without paying a dime. Just months later, the company was shut down by the government, which soon realized that online piracy was a real problem that needed a quick solution. Thus, digital copyright laws were born.

Internet Piracy Statistics

Here’s what most people get wrong about internet piracy. It’s not just your favorite multi-platinum recording artist who’s losing money. It’s everyone who works behind-the-scenes on production, the catering company who feeds them throughout long days in the studio, and the security guard who’s making sure they’re safe. The United States alone employs 2.6 million people within industries involved in the production and distribution of movies, TV, games and music. Each year, between 230,000 and 560,000 jobs are lost as a result of internet piracy. It’s also estimated that online piracy results in a loss of about $29.2 billion dollars of revenue a year. Keep in mind, these numbers don’t take 2020 into account, a year in which piracy skyrocketed with even more people at home.

Potential Consequences for Internet Piracy

So, what happens when you pirate media online? It depends on the type of content and the severity of the case. That said, there are copyright and piracy-specific laws in place to make sure that offenders are held responsible. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, pirating music could result in jail time along with fines of up to $250,000 per record.

How To Combat Internet Piracy?                                               

When it comes to online media, there’s a fine line between what’s alright and what’s not. Here’s what you should know:

• Use streaming services: These are set up to allow users to view content whenever and wherever they want while also giving creators their rightfully owned royalties. Most services come at a cost (like Netflix and Apple Music), but even those that offer free streaming (like Spotify and SoundCloud) make revenue through ads.
• Purchase media: While not as common these days, you can still buy songs, albums, music and TV series from trusted sources.
• Check StreamSafely.com: When in doubt, turn to the knowledge hub on all-things-internet-piracy. StreamSafely.com breaks down the consequences of illegal media sharing and provides answers to common questions, such as “How do Pirates deliver content” and “Is it safe to watch pirated content?”.
• Restrict website access: Illegal actions on the internet are not always obvious—especially for a child or teen. To keep your family protected, consider implementing browser restrictions that prevent them from accidentally clicking on a pirated streaming site.

While internet piracy is confusing, tempting and dangerous, it can be avoided. Keep your household protected by educating yourself on the do’s and don’ts of online media usage and sticking to the sites and services you know can be trusted. View more internet safety tips.