These stories illustrate what can happen when we get ahead of the tech curve, without implementing necessary safeguards.
But we also run into trouble when we fall behind the tech curve. For example: I argue that recent missteps in the US’ s case against file sharing website Megaupload and its founder Kim Dotcom are symptomatic of one industry’ s struggle to keep pace with technology.
Look at how the entertainment industry has struggled to cope with the rise of the internet. Consumers are turning away from traditional media channels and instead turning to piracy or cheap / free internetbased alternatives for their music, film and television desires. This upsets the business models of the companies that produce this content, which largely rely on revenue direct from consumers or ad revenue based on audience numbers.
Some companies are adapting to the new landscape formed by these pressures- changing their services or releasing new types of products to sway consumers away from piracy and other free content- but the industry’ s attempts to stay afloat are often litigious. Rather than rolling with the technological punches, they’ re on the defensive, unleashing their lawyers in an attempt to dissuade consumers from pirating content or service providers from facilitating such piracy.
Now, there’ s nothing wrong with a company protecting its interests to the extent allowed by law. But in their zeal, those pursuing Dotcom and his company in the Megaupload case have broken the law several times.
For one, a New Zealand judge ruled that search warrants used to gather evidence related to the case were, in fact, illegal. On top of that, it was later revealed that the New
Zealand intelligence agency, the Government Communications Security Bureau( GSCB), unlawfully spied on Dotcom in the years leading up to his arrest. The spying was illegal because the GSCB is forbidden from spying on New Zealanders, and Dotcom gained New Zealand residency in 2010. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, John Key, apologised to Dotcom for the illegal spying, saying he was“ personally disappointed” and that the GSCB had“ failed on the most basic of levels”.
With a couple of exceptions, the film, music and television industries have so far failed to adapt their business models to the internet age. They turn to litigation in an attempt to stall the use of technology, instead of trying to innovate their businesses in order to keep pace with an evolving market.
We stumble when we try to move too fast- but also when we move too slowly. 17
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