Copyright infringement costs Thai economy billions, expert says

Copyright infringement has widespread impacts across various industries in Thailand, particularly movies, music, and international sports broadcasts, an expert on the problem says. It is time for all sectors, including the government, private sector, and civil society, to join forces and address this issue seriously, he said.

Professor Seri Wongmontha, an expert in marketing and communications, commented that, according to the Motion Picture Association (MPA), the entertainment industry in Thailand loses about 3 billion to 5 billion baht annually to movie piracy. 

The music industry suffers a loss of around 1.5 billion to 2 billion baht per year from copyright violations. Furthermore, piracy in the sports industry, particularly unauthorised broadcasts of international sports events, is estimated to result in a loss of 1 billion to 2 billion baht annually in advertising and viewing rights revenue. This represents a severe economic loss.

The overall economic impact is significant, with the combined losses from copyright infringement in movies, music, and sports estimated at around 7 billion to 10 billion baht per year. Additionally, copyright violations result in lost tax revenue that could otherwise be used to develop public infrastructure and services.

Industries affected by copyright infringement include:

Entertainment Industry: Movies, music, and other media are pirated through illegal copying and online distribution.

Publishing Industry: Unauthorised copying and digital distribution of books.

Software Industry: Unauthorised copying and use of software and applications.

Fashion and Design Industry: Unauthorised copying of designs and products.

Moreover, copyright infringement also affects mental health and society. 

"Accessing pirated content without proper screening may lead to exposure to age-inappropriate material, impacting the psychological and social development of young people," Seri said.

This can result in incorrect learning, as pirated content is often outdated and not aligned with current educational standards. Additionally, youth may not understand the importance of respecting intellectual property, normalising unauthorised copying or downloading of copyrighted material.

Piracy also poses online risks, as downloading pirated content from unreliable sources can lead to computer viruses and personal data breaches, resulting in potential financial loss. 

Copyright infringement is theft of intellectual property, a significant source of national income. This crime results in lost tax revenue and investment in the entertainment and sports industries, leading to a lack of funding for developing and promoting socially beneficial activities. 

Addressing copyright infringement requires cooperation from all parties, including strict law enforcement, public education on copyright, and promoting respect for others' intellectual property.

"Thailand must implement strict measures, starting with effective law enforcement. Relevant agencies must rigorously and effectively enforce laws to track and combat copyright violations. Offenders should be appropriately punished to set an example and deter future violations," Seri concluded.