ANTI-PIRACY

Do you have any information on music piracy? Help stamp piracy out contact in confidence, visit the Report Music Piracy website www.reportmusicpiracy.co.nz.

Why Anti-piracy?

Anti-piracy is about fairness and respect for creative talent. The writers, musicians, producers and record labels determine how they want their creative work distributed throughout the world. Copyright laws support and protect that right just as theft laws protect shop keepers’ stock. If all goods were free, who would be a shop keeper and why would anyone create anything?

Buying pirate CDs undermines investment in new talent and damages the whole creative chain in the music industry.

CD Piracy Effects Songwriters, Performers and Producers

Have you thought that when you buy an illegal CD copy because you like the artist, none of your hard earned cash goes to the artist – it goes into the pockets of the person who sold you the poor quality CD – where’s the sense in that? The same goes for the illegally imported CDs that are part of organized crime operations – you support them with your purchase and the artist receives nothing – is that what you want?

Piracy minimizes opportunities for new artists. Your friends, sons or daughters, could be prevented from getting the career break they need, being recognized for their talent and then prevented from making a living. No one is an overnight success, artists work long and hard before they succeed. They and the people who help them in their career deserve a fair reward.

Copies are of inferior quality. Buying legitimate CDs means you get quality sound and quality product.

Piracy and The Digital Age

The growth of the internet is exciting and of great benefit – but only if it is used responsibly. As the speed of broadband increases, there needs to be a ‘moral baseline’ for New Zealand. A moral baseline that demonstrates our fairness and respect for each other’s creative rights. A baseline that protects us from the malicious, exploitive and unhealthy side of the internet.

P2P File Sharing

Illegally downloaded music and movies obtained through Peer 2 peer file sharing can be contaminated with viruses and spyware. It opens up your computer to the possibility of sharing all your personal files to anyone in the world.

Your child, through illegal downloading and file sharing of copyright product, not only shows a lack of respect for others but also exposes them to pornography, computer viruses, online predators and identity thieves. Is this a responsible use of their time and the internet?

Parents, do you know what your child is doing on-line?

Kids, do you know who you are downloading from or talking to online?

Copyright Education

We recognise that there is a need to educate young people about copyright and why it exists. During the coming year, together with the movie industry, RIANZ will be implementing an education strategy that aims to inform school children and parents about copyright and the trouble they can get themselves in through buying or downloading illegal copies and file sharing.

Check out what the artists had to say on World IP Day.

Useful links for further information