Is it theft? Young Canadians say no, boomers say yes

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

------ Forwarded Message
From: David Akin <dakin () ctv ca>
Date: Mon, 21 Apr 2003 15:33:52 -0400
To: "'Dave () farber net'" <dave () farber net>
Subject: Is it theft? Young Canadians say no, boomers say yes

Hey Dave --

Following up on some IP chit-chat recently about the RIAA, downloading
music, etc., this press release crossed my e-desk today. It seems young
Canadians feel that grabbing digital music is not theft, but grabbing
software is and so is using satellite dishes to grab television programming
without paying for it. The publisher of the release is online at
www.srgnet.com:

--------------

MUSIC AND MOVIE DOWNLOADS NOT STEALING, SAY YOUNG CANADIANS
BOOMERS ARE OUT OF SYNC WITH THEIR KIDS -
SURVEY FINDS SHARP GENERATIONAL DIFFERENCES IN ATTITUDES TOWARD USE OF
COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL

TORONTO - April 21, 2003. A majority of young Canadians reject the notion
that downloading
music and movies off the Internet can be equated to physical theft,
according to an independent
consumer trend study on technology, media and entertainment conducted by
Solutions
Research Group Consultants Inc. (SRG).

The survey asked Canadians about their views on "unauthorized use of
copyrighted material
such as music, movies and software, without payment."
* 55% of Boomers (now in their 40s through to mid-50s) agree that
"downloading
songs off the Internet" is theft - in contrast, a minority, 31%, of
Canadians 12-24
(Gen Y) agrees.
* When asked about "downloading movies off the Internet," 59% of Boomers say
it's
"theft," versus only 43% of Gen Y.
* Gen Y opinion is split on "making copies of computer software" - just over
half, 54%,
say it's "theft." However, the generation gap persists - 67% of Boomers say
it's
stealing.
* The one area where there is little generational difference is views on the
"use of an
unauthorized satellite dish to view TV signals" (satellite signal piracy).
When asked if
they believe this activity is "theft," 68% of Boomers and 62% of Gen Y
agree.

--------------------

David Akin
-----------------
CTV News 
The Globe and Mail
-----------------
Office: 416.313.2503
Mobile: 416.528.3819
-----------------
Complete Contact Information at
http://www.davidakin.com


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