Spanish piracy down 6 percent in 2017

The total value of illegal consumption of pirated content in Spain was €21 billion in 2017, representing a decrease of 6 percent compared to 2016, according to La Liga.


A report from the Spanish football league showed that digital piracy in Spain has decreased in “absolute figures” for a second year, despite the percentage of individuals accessing pirated content remaining the same.


The report was carried out by independent consultation GFK and released by the Coalition of Creators and Content Industries, alongside La Liga.


According to the report, film was the most popular area for pirates, with 33 percent of all illicit viewings. This was followed by TV (30 percent), music (22 percent), books (24 percent), videogames (11 percent), and football (10 percent).


More than half (51 percent) of consumers who access illegal content argue that “original contents are very expensive”, while 43 percent said that access to pirated content is “fast and easy”.


The report also showed that a quarter of pirates believe that their actions aren’t causing any harm, or that there are “no legal consequences for those who pirate”.


However, La Liga said that the impact of piracy on employment provides a “disturbing figure for creators and cultural and content industries”.


“Content industries today employ 69,861 people, out of 99,095 employees working for the digital cultural sector, according to government data.”


“A scenario without piracy will allow the creation of 20,375 new direct jobs, 29 percent increase and 122,250 more jobs that are indirect.”


It said: “The public fund have failed to receive almost €372 million of VAT because of piracy, as well as €157 million in social security contributions and more than €46 million in personal income tax.”