Book piracy has no place to thrive!

For many years, book piracy in Vietnam was a chronic problem, difficult to eradicate completely. The issuance of Decision 759/QD-BVHTTDL, establishing the operational mechanism of the Central Inter-agency Task Force for Combating Book Piracy, along with proposals for stronger penalties in cyberspace, marked a significant shift. Authorities are no longer chasing after individual violations but are instead focusing on prevention from the outset.

The new approach to managing book piracy has hit the nail on the head: it thrives on loopholes in the system. Therefore, the effects of the new decision are almost immediate. The proposed fine of up to 20 million VND for illegally sharing ebooks has led to the rapid closure of numerous online groups distributing pirated books. Many people have started turning to copyrighted platforms. This change reflects an inevitable trend as the legal framework tightens and legitimate choices become clearer.

For a long time, many people viewed sharing free ebooks as a way to spread knowledge. This way of thinking, while well-intentioned, has weakened the creative ecosystem. Authors are not compensated, publishers struggle to recoup their investment, and digital platforms lack investment resources. A market where everything is free is essentially a self-destructive market. However, the closure of numerous pirated ebook groups also reveals gaps: many titles are hard to find, copyrighted ebook platforms are not convenient enough, and the user experience is limited. Therefore, if these gaps are not filled in time, pirated books may return in more sophisticated forms.

The issue isn't about banning or not, but about whether there are enough good alternatives. Consumers are willing to pay when the content is rich, the service is convenient, and the value is commensurate. Introducing regulations to tighten order in the publishing market is an inevitable trend, a foundation for the Vietnamese copyright market to regain the trust of publishers and investors. However, its effectiveness depends on the cooperation of the entire ecosystem. Only when each book is valued at its true worth can the market develop sustainably.

VINH XUAN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/sach-lau-het-dat-song-post847906.html