With the disastrous litigating of Napster almost out of existence, big music companies learnt that in spite of their actions, it had no effect upon the online web piracy.
As one music executive said, “If we had licensed Napster we could have saved ourselves billions and got a real head start in digital music, but as usual the lawyers had the loudest voices.”
Of course it remains to be seen whether Hollywood and the movie industry will learn their lessons as well.
Sure, they've worked some new deals with online companies like YouTube, but they are already insisting upon technology being put into place to limit how it is currently operated. They are putting new audio-signature technology in place that will monitor copyrighted material.
When it is recognized, copyright holders will determine whether it can be used or not, and if it will be immediately taken down. While this has happened generally on the site, this could cut back on the experience so much for users that it could seriously limit the desire to partake anymore.
The question that will decide whether Hollywood and the entertainment industry functions in these years ahead will be determined by how far they take this control into the equation. They will learn quickly, if that's the way they go, that it won't stop piracy as consumers demand the use of this type of material. The ball is in Hollywood's court.
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