Once Again, As The MPAA Whines About 'Piracy,' It Had Record Results At The Box Office

There were reports late last year that the box office take for the movie industry was finally set to decline after years of records. It appeared that there just weren't that many big blockbuster hits last year, that many thought really hurt the industry. However, now that the numbers are out, it appears that, once again, the box office take has set a new record. And yet the MPAA still claims that its number one priority is "fighting piracy"? Why?

Obviously, some will point out that the DVD business isn't as strong as it once was, though it's unclear how much of that may be a result of new business models like Netflix and Redbox, as compared to file sharing. That said, I laugh any time the movie industry folks point to the DVD market as the reason they have to fight piracy. I mean, it was just 25 years ago that Jack Valenti was declaring the VCR was going to be "the Boston Strangler" to Hollywood. And yet, now, the home video market is its lifeline? Sorry, but hasn't the industry cried wolf a few too many times?

The simple fact is that there are all sorts of business model opportunities for the movie industry. Theater showings (the seats and the social experience are great scarcities that sell well) is one such model. Services like Netflix where you're paying for "access" and "convenience" rather than content, is another. There are plenty of others as well, for those who wish to explore them. Shouldn't the MPAA's "number one priority" be to help the industry figure out these opportunities, rather than worrying about "piracy"?

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Source: http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20110224/08004213245/once-again-as-mpaa-whines-about-piracy-it-had-record-results-box-office.shtml

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