I think that no matter how cheaply they were offered that there is a hard core that will STILL steal them because they get a charge out of getting something for nothing. But the majority will probably begin to pay when they think the amount is “fair”. The trick is, who agrees on what is fair?

I missed the first three seasons of GoT (I had read all the books and really wanted to see the show) because I refused to pay the additional $15-$20 that my provider (Comcast) charged for the packages with HBO in them. I eventually saw the shows but only after an entire season rolled by and then became available on On Demand. So I was always a season behind. Then something happened: I called up Comcast and said to them, Hey, you guys have to help me reduce my Comcast bill. It’s ridiculously high and I don’t even get HBO! I know, stupid right? Well…the guy couldn’t have been quicker if he’d planned it. He said, hey, what if I could give you all the premium channels including HBO (and Game of Thrones) AND drop your bill $40? What would ya say to that, eh? Well, says I, I’d say, Oh HELLZ YEAH!

Within the next fifteen minutes I had all the premium channels and a lower bill. Now I’m not saying that your provider will necessarily do that, but I am saying that if you are willing to pay in the first place but think it’s just too high (and PIRACY is not in your blood), try dickering with your provider. Obviously there are price points that these guys need to hit but that there is more room for bargaining than we might think (which means they’re over-charging and they KNOW IT, but they won’t open their hand until you call them out (in a NICE WAY. Don’t start out by telling them they’re all a bunch of assholes. That’s just common sense).

Anyway, piracy is a choice just as paying for something is. I personally think that the creators need to be paid for their work. BUT I also believe that the providers are overcharging, squeezing us for more money than we can afford. That fact did not push me to piracy, but that’s just me. I don’t need to see something the minute it comes out. I’m more patient (I’m also older than most folks on this comment thread). But when I feel squeezed, I react by FIRMLY asking for a price reduction (pointing out the inequities of my current price setup.

Of course this will not happen every time, but I think that there is a better chance of it happening now than at any time in the past. The providers know they’re screwing a lot of people, and when you call them out on it (in a NICE WAY, remember? More flies with honey, etc.?) they just might have a built-in mechanism that allows them to reduce your bill AND give you the premium channels (which includes HBO), but only if you ask!