Hunt, Williams, Nicholas and Rowlands (2009)
Contents
Source Details
Hunt, Williams, Nicholas and Rowlands (2009) | |
Title: | Copycats? Digital Consumers in the Online Age |
Author(s): | Hunt, R., Williams, P., Rowlands, I., Nicholas, D. |
Year: | 2009 |
Citation: | Hunt, R., Williams, P., Nicholas, D., & Rowlands, I. (2009). Copycats? Digital consumers in the online age. |
Link(s): | Definitive , Open Access |
Key Related Studies: | |
Discipline: | |
Linked by: | Hargreaves (2011) |
About the Data | |
Data Description: | The research was conducted by means of:
More than four hundred reports and papers were identified and evaluated from the thousands published for the quality of their data – full bibliographic references may be found at the end of this report. In addition, eight people were interviewed, and media analysis took place over the period January to April 2009. |
Data Type: | Primary and Secondary data |
Secondary Data Sources: | |
Data Collection Methods: | |
Data Analysis Methods: | |
Industry(ies): | |
Country(ies): | |
Cross Country Study?: | No |
Comparative Study?: | No |
Literature review?: | Yes |
Government or policy study?: | Yes |
Time Period(s) of Collection: |
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Funder(s): |
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Abstract
The CIBER report "Copycats? Digital Consumers in the Online Age evaluates digital consumer behaviour and attitudes and their implications for intellectual property policy, "commissioned by the Strategic Advisory Board for Intellectual Property Policy (SABIP), aims to provide a robust evidence base to help guide policy makers in this strategic area.
The report has two further objectives:
- To inform a SABIP workshop at which a selected group of attendees with a direct interest in the issue will consider the implications of consumer behaviour on IP and make recommendations for further areas of SABIP research;
- To highlight any further SABIP research that is required to ensure that all agencies of Government have the fullest understanding of the issues.
Main Results of the Study
The study addressed a number of propositions relating to consumer behaviour and attitudes and their implications for IP policy:* The study found strong but not conclusive evidence that the problem of infringing activity is "huge and growing". Accurately measuring the extent of the problem remains challenging due to data deficiencies. * Very strong evidence of myriad choices when consuming content and consumers are confused about what is legal and not legal.* Very strong evidence that consumer attitudes and behaviours towards property in the online and physical worlds are very different.* Very strong evidence that "it has never been easier to break the law."* The evidence relating to whether there are fewer cues guiding behaviour in the online world is inconclusive and contradictory.* There is strong empirical evidence (with some contradictory exceptions) that, "education isn’t working, yet" with regards to informing consumers about unauthorised downloading.* There is strong empirical evidence (with some contradictory findings) of a pervasive idea that there is "‘no victim’, and so ‘no crime"
Policy Implications as Stated By Author
- "The Digital is Different. It is changing very basic assumptions about the idea of ownership, sharing, and copying content. New business models are needed, and serious questions are raised about the quality and breadth of content material that will be created without new thinking."*"Expectations have been established for the consumer that include fast access to free information, the ability to copy and share such data, and the ability to consume this on a variety of platforms and devices."*"There is a triangle of digital responsibility: between those that create and distribute content, those that consume, share and copy it, and those who manufacture the products that enable these exchanges. To date research and legal action has focused on the consumer – but not on the responsibilities of industry. Ethical reciprocity is not yet clearly defined."*"The Consumer Electronics industry is copyright-dependent, yet is predicated increasingly on technologies that allow the infringement of these copyrights. Hardware and software applications will only become more efficient at these and many other communication processes."*"Web access, like the products of the computer and software businesses, is also going to get better. As it does so more consumers will have the ability to download vast amounts of material, legally or not. Digital literacy education for all ages must include simple information on the complexities of downloading culture. Downloading and sharing per se is not wrong."*"The Internet is built on a paradox of privacy. Surveillance is easy and, as well as posting and sharing their own and others’ content, consumers are revealing their interests to third-parties such as advertisers all the time simply by being online. ISPs are the part of the Internet Triangle that knows what consumers do online, yet they – for obvious and understandable reasons – do not want to become the Internet"
Coverage of Study
Datasets
Sample size: | 8 |
Level of aggregation: | Individual |
Period of material under study: | 2009 |
Sample size: | 400 |
Level of aggregation: | Texts |
Period of material under study: | 2009 |