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