Pirated VCDs

Pirated VCDs

From Neraca

The destruction and torching of Harco shopping center in
downtown Glodok, West Jakarta, started with riots around the VCD
displays on the sidewalk. The root of the matter and a wise
solution should be found to overcome the problem. The action
might have been a provocation launched by parties who had
suffered losses due to pirated VCDs against the sides which
enjoyed the circulation of the pirated VCDs, mainly dealers and
indirectly consumers.

I think that the efforts to overcome the problem of pirated
VCDs were not backed by law enforcement to protect copyright.
However, VCD producers suffering the losses should be wise in
handling the problem of VCD pirating in Indonesia.

VCD producers should realize that the Indonesian people in
general -- at their current purchasing power -- cannot afford to
buy original VCDs priced at Rp 45,000 each. They tend to buy
pirated products at a far lower price. This happens in nearly all
lines of tertiary products such as books, cassettes, etc.

Violent measures to solve the problem of VCD pirating will
lead to chaos. Law enforcement by violating the law has more
drawbacks than advantages. Therefore, preventive measures such as
the ones used to discourage the pirating of books, can serve as
an example.

Cheap paper (newsprint) is used to make student-edition
textbooks. This type of publication has succeeded in eliminating
pirated books from the market. The quality of the books is low
but students can afford them. It proves that consumers prefer
originals to pirated versions.

If this method is applied in the production of VCDs, pirating
will gradually stop. The manufacturers can produce lower-quality
original VCDs and sell them nearly as cheap as the pirated
products.

Consumers are not worried about the quality and durability of
the VCDs they buy. They only want to see and hear new releases.
Price is a dominant factor. Only when they start collecting VCDs
will they opt for expensive good-quality discs.

TAUFIK KARMADI

Jakarta