With the implementation of the new “6 Strike” system, it seems that the war on piracy is the new war on drugs. But is that really an effective way to fight piracy? A recent article has likened these attempts to curb piracy to the war on drugs. However, history has shown us that “prohibition” has never worked. When alcohol was made illegal from 1920-1933, the black market and organized crime exploded, it was shown that when people believe they have a right to something; nothing anyone can say or do will stop them. Even more recently, with the War on Drugs, we can see that prohibition simply does not work and now the same tactic is being used on modern copyright infringement.
So why does this tactic continually resurface?
I feel like when there is a problem it is easy to just crack down and implement the harshest policies. It might not be the right thing to do but it is an answer at the time the issue is presented. I’m not saying piracy is right or should be legal, but I think the punishment should fit the crime.
I agree. The “war” aspect of the law seems like a quick solution to law makers. They implement a large number of intense laws in a short time span in an attempt to fix the problem and, perhaps more importantly, to make their constituents happy.