In recent years, short video sharing services like YouTube Shorts and TikTok have seen a surge in the posting of “fast movies” and “pirated clips” that summarize movies and TV shows in a brief format. While these clips are widely recognized as copyright infringements, recent research from Peking University suggests that, under certain conditions, these pirated clips might actually contribute to promoting the content.
The Role of Pirated Clips as Viral Videos
Viral videos are those that spread explosively across the internet. Pirated clips, despite infringing on copyrights, can also spread as viral videos. Traditionally, such illegal activities have been viewed negatively. However, recent studies and discussions indicate that these pirated clips may function as a form of free advertising, potentially increasing the audience for the original content.
The Potential of Pirated Clips as Demonstrated by Peking University
Researchers from the Guanghua School of Management at Peking University investigated the impact of pirated clips on streaming services by studying Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok. Their findings revealed that the removal of pirated clips resulted in a 3% decrease in legitimate viewership on streaming services. This suggests that pirated clips may have a positive impact on the demand for streaming services.
Furthermore, it was found that TV series with complex storylines, as well as genres like crime/mystery and fantasy, are more likely to benefit from pirated clips. These works may not be fully satisfying in a short clip, potentially increasing interest in the original content.
A Paradoxical Challenge
However, not all pirated clips yield the same effects. Moreover, illegal activities cannot be justified, presenting a continued challenge for rights holders and platform operators on how to respond. While researchers highlight the potential ripple effect of shortened pirated clips enhancing the visibility of original works, they also note that the higher the quality and appeal of a work’s story, the greater this effect might be.
Conclusion
This study highlights the paradoxical aspect of pirated clips, which, while being illegal, may sometimes contribute to the dissemination of original content. Nonetheless, strict measures are still required from the perspective of copyright protection. How this paradoxical phenomenon is perceived will be a significant topic in the future of the content industry and policy-making.
