A recently published European IP Office survey of intellectual property awareness examining attitudes towards IP rights, finds a majority of people understand the concept of IP and the danger of obtaining goods and content illegally, but many still do so.
The 2023 study, “European Citizens and Intellectual Property: Perception, Awareness and Behaviour” is intended to gather knowledge about European consumers’ attitudes towards intellectual property and the degree to which they respect these rights, as well as their general perception of IP.
Sources and Impact of Counterfeits
According to the study, the fourth in a series examining attitudes, 80% of Europeans believe that criminal organizations are behind counterfeit products and acknowledge that such purchases harm businesses and employment. 83% believe that buying counterfeits support unethical behaviour, and two-thirds recognise the potential threats to health, safety, and the environment.
“There is a consensus on the importance of respecting IP to protect the rights and income of producers of goods and content,” cites the survey, “as well as the quality of their products.”
The new research finds that the majority of citizens believe that it’s unacceptable to obtain digital content from illegal sources. Of those who buy fake goods, the study finds, 60% also buy content from legal sources. Better affordability and a wider offer are the top cited reasons for people to stop using illegal sources.
65% of Europeans consider it acceptable to engage in piracy if content is not available through their subscriptions
Piracy acceptance rates are also higher in the younger age groups when content isn’t available from legal sources, reaching 44% among 15 to 24-year-olds. However, the majority of Europeans (80%) say that they prefer to obtain content from legal sources, “if an affordable legal option is available.”
About 40% or respondents have doubted the authenticity of a product they bought, with disparities among EU Member States. In Romania, 72% of consumers have had such doubts, compared to 26% in Denmark and the Netherlands.
Piracy is Unacceptable – Except When it Is
41% of Europeans are uncertain about the legality of the sources they use for online content. Despite this, 80% prefer to use legal sources if they are affordable. Notably, 65% consider it acceptable to engage in piracy if content is not available through their subscriptions.
The report is based on 25,824 interviews with residents aged 15 and older in all EU Member States. The 2023 study is the first time the research was conducted online.
Attitudes towards pirated products and illegally obtained content tend to inform peoples’ attitudes towards patents and trade secrets.
Go here for the full 78-page report, “Perception, Awareness and Behaviour.”
Image source: EUIPO; torrentfreak.com
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