Survey Warns Of Copyright Infringement Pandemic

by Glen Shapiro, LawAndTax-News.com, New York

05 August 2005

Research firm, Outsell Inc. on Tuesday warned of a "copyright infringement pandemic" which is sweeping the information industry.

Outsell surveyed 2,000 end users of business information, in addition to conducting expert interviews and gleaning information from a database of information best practices.

The firmed unearthed what it dubbed "startling" statistics on common user behaviors and attitudes.

In its report on the survey, entitled 'The Global Copyright Pandemic: A First-Aid Kit for Publishers and Information Providers' it emerged that:

• 89% of workplace information users forward content (articles, pictures, video, clips, etc.) to others. Their behavior is consistent regardless of their age, professional role or company size. On average, users forward just under eight times each week, to an average of nine people each time.
• Based on this percentage, Outsell conservatively estimates that 56 billion documents are "flung far and wide" around the globe each year - many without proper authorization.
• Only about 10% of business information users feel uncomfortable sharing free information from the open web or print sources, with 60% having no problem with such behaviour.
• Fewer than 30% of information users believe their organizations obtain permissions in a timely manner.

The Outsell report identified three "hot zones" fueling the pandemic - publishers/aggregators, enterprises, and industry associations. It then went on to suggest a variety of solutions, including transaction-based licensing and expanded micropayments.

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