Quote:
Originally Posted by Leyor
Very good reply, too late to reply to it all. Just have a queston, from what I read your central premise is that if it can be made, someone else will always be making it cheaper.
Basically your view is pro protectionism and you don't believe in the free market or its ability to regulate itself? Is that correct? I am not ascribing you any political motives here, it's a genuine question to understand how your world view differs so much from mine.
Coming from a mixed background, I visit my family in Thailand every year. I believe it serves as a microcosm for how the world would be without copyright. Many things are copied, that's true. But one thing I've noticed is that a) identical copies are almost impossible to find, only people who can't afford the original product buys these copies. and b) Despite big major book chains being in major growth, selling both Thai and International books at the same price as in an UK bookstore (which is quite expensive for thai people). Copying of books basically doesn't exist, despite having the option to copy it, noone does to make a profit. The only exception being high priced study/software books, that are priced so high most thai couldn't possible ever afford to buy it. They do gladly pay 10 pound a book though.
I find that fascinating.
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No, my position is pro author, and realistic. What I'm doing is pointing out why I think your suggested methods won't work. Why you're suddenly turning that discussion into an examination of my personal beliefs on free trade, while also supposing that you can ascribe this or that belief to me, baffles me.
As to the situation in Thailand, I can't speak to that, as I've never been there, and have little knowledge of it. I can only speak to the way things are done here in the US. In this country bootlegging, or counterfeiting, merchandise, including books, music and movies is big business. We routinely read about busts and the seizure of fake goods. If this was legal and could be done above board and without fear of arrest, then as I said, I expect these operations would grow explosively.