Piracy, not a issue? - 24.6.05

You don't mind stealing games online, according to a recent government funded study into anti-piracy. The study found that of the 2,400 individuals interviewed, most failed to see piracy as theft.

Consumers have an awareness of the scale of the problem and cost, but don't take onboard industry concerns or government messages

said Dr Bryce, a senior lecturer in psychology.

The study found that most people who download a game illegally can not compare the act in any way to say, stepping into a store, shoving a disc down your trousers and walking out without paying.

"People are more accepting of it, even if they didn't engage it in themselves," said Dr Bryce. "They don't see it as a great problem on a social or economic level.

"They just don't see it as theft. They just see it as inevitable, particularly as new technologies become available."

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