The movie industry says it disappointed but not surprised by a new Colmar Brunton survey showing almost half of young Kiwis are stealing movies and TV shows online.
It says the thieving is costing them millions and is the same as pinching someone's car, but the pirates don't see it that way.
In the poll of 270 people aged 16 to 29, 44 percent admitted to illegally streaming TV programmes. More than a quarter confessed to illegally downloading them – stealing.
When it comes to the big screen, 36 percent of those surveyed streamed movies illegally, and 31 percent downloaded them.
"I think they have grown up with technology as a way of accessing content," says technology commentator Paul Spain. "They are used to being able to getting what they want, when they want it."
One self-confessed downloader reckons the numbers are on the low side, with a file of just his weekend viewing containing more than half a dozen Hollywood blockbusters.
"If I can get it now, why shouldn't I watch?" he says.
But the movie industry here says it is practically taking money out of workers' pockets.
"Sure, the stars get paid millions, but there are other people on ordinary wages," says chairman of the Motion Picture Distribution Association Andrew Cornwell. "Think of it as shoplifting. If The Warehouse had 50 percent of its stock stolen, it would be seen as a crisis, but people do it because they can."
3 News
source: newshub archive
