Piracy and the Publishing Industry
For many years, the publishing industry has had to deal with book piracy. Whether it be popular novels, textbooks or academic articles, if it exists, it has probably been pirated at some point. This has resulted in publishing companies losing millions in sales, and as the problem grows worse, websites like SlideShare have cracked down on potential sources for pirated works. While some of these measures have been somewhat effective, piracy is still a major issue for publishers.
But why does it happen in the first place?
Why Does it Happen?
For many people, websites for downloading books for free have been a genuinely helpful resource, especially when certain texts are particularly expensive. It is extremely common for textbooks to have prices of over $100, with some hardcover editions costing up to $400 for one. Many people cannot simply purchase a textbook without having to pay a very large amount of money, but they still need access to the information it provides. The same applies for some academic articles that students may need for research, and for news articles hidden behind paywalls. While some sites offer certain articles legally for free, many require students to pay for access. And as a result, many students search for ways to get the books for free.
While there are people who illegally download books just to avoid paying, for many, piracy can be one of the only ways they can get access to an important resource. When faced with little to no legal and affordable options for getting a certain text, a lot of students will try to find a way to get it for free.
How Do We Stop It?
If you came here to look for a potential solution [why? I’m literally an 18-year-old.] to explore, here is an idea: provide ways to make texts more accessible. For things like digital copies of textbooks and articles, this could take the form of soft paywalls or the use of advertisements so that companies can still generate a profit from people visiting their websites.
While it may not be the perfect solution, making books easier and more affordable to read can make readers less likely to pirate articles.
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