Is piracy winning the moral battle against legality?
The article argues that movie piracy is increasingly winning the moral battle against legal OTT platforms, particularly in India, where audiences feel that official streaming services are failing to provide fair access, reasonable pricing, or timely releases. Many viewers believe piracy offers better value and convenience, especially when multiple platforms hold fragmented content libraries, forcing users to pay for several subscriptions to watch desired films.
High subscription fees, frequent price increases, poor user experience, regional content restrictions, and delayed digital releases all contribute to public frustration. As a result, some consumers justify piracy as a practical or even ethical alternative, claiming that it provides equal access to entertainment regardless of income.
The article notes that piracy networks have become more sophisticated, offering high-quality versions of newly released movies within hours, often with subtitles and minimal ads. This has strengthened the perception that piracy is more efficient and consumer-friendly.
Industry experts warn that this mindset threatens the sustainability of legal platforms and the film industry, as creators and rights holders lose revenue. They call for improved OTT strategies, including fair pricing, faster releases, unified content offerings, and better user experience to shift public opinion back in favor of legal access.
