MyGaming’s sister publication, MyBroadband recently conducted an online piracy survey. It was completed by 5,230 broadband users in South Africa, who represent tech savvy consumers with a good knowledge of the Internet and broadband services.
Results showed showed that ADSL and WISP connections are the most popular among South African online pirates. The results further showed that Afrihost’s uncapped users had the highest piracy percentage.
The survey also revealed that 58% of respondents have pirated content over the last 12 months, and 28% of respondents have pirated video games.
Why South Africans pirate movies, TV series and music
The online piracy survey results showed that the majority of high-end broadband users in South Africa pirate movies, TV series, and music because the content is not available in South Africa, the wait for it to arrive here is too long, and for convenience.
People further indicated their decision to pirate content was fuelled by limited and expensive TV services in SA, frustrating advertising in shows and movies, and to catch up on content (such as TV shows) they have missed.
The following list shows the most popular reasons why local broadband users pirate movies, TV series and music:
- Not available in South Africa – 61%
- Have to wait too long for it to come to South Africa – 59%
- Convenience – 59%
- Legal version too expensive – 39%
- To save money – 30%
- To bypass restrictions on legal content – 16%
- Other – 9%
- I pirate on principle – 7%
Why people pirate in South Africa
Why people pirate software
The following list shows the most popular reasons why local broadband users pirate software.
- Legal software too expensive – 65%
- Try before I buy – 48%
- To save money – 42%
- Convenience – 36%
- Not available in South African shops – 22%
- To bypass DRM – 14%
- I pirate on principle – 9%
- Other – 4%
Why people pirate software
Try before you buy
Many people who pirated games and software said that it is a way for them to sample the content or software before they purchase a legal version.
When online pirates were asked if they ever purchased a legal version of the content they previously pirated, the overwhelming majority said yes.
Question: Have you ever pirated content, and then purchased a legal version afterwards?
- Yes – 88%
- No – 12%
Stopping online piracy
The majority of online pirates also indicated that they will stop pirating if the content is affordable, and is convenient to get and use.
Question: Will you stop pirating if the content you are pirating is affordable and it is made convenient to get and use?
- Yes – 92%
- No – 8%
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