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8.9.2004
Not So Strange Bedfellows
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Tyler Cowen has an interesting post on the intersection of cultural protectionism and the protection of intellectual property. It seems the French government deplores illegal file swapping. Why would the French government make common cause with American content producers?
[T]hey believe that enforceable copyright is a prerequisite of cultural protection. They cannot keep out American culture if the medium is illegal downloads.
3.16 million songs and one million movies are illegally downloaded in France each day, four times more than are purchased legally (See Variety magazine, July 26 issue, p. 11). It is believed that Hollywood movies are the most popular downloads.
Of course, in order to stem the flood of pirated cultural goods, the French could ease the import quotas that restrict legal distribution of American film and music. Look for this issue to come to the agenda of your favorite international organization soon.
posted by Kent : 8/9/2004 01:29:53 PM
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