Posted this in another SOPA/PIPA thread someone started in General SW...

I find it strange that industries that are obsessed with making obscene amounts of money have forgotten about basic economics 101.

Part of the reason piracy and illegal downloads exist in the first place is because the general public feels they're being price gouged trying to buy the content legally and wanting a cheaper alternative.

So, if MPAA/RIAA would learn that they can still make a profit at 800% markup instead of 1600% - basically make their prices cheaper - then more people will be inclined to buy the legal product rather than seek out pirated copies. If twice as many people buy the legal version because it's more affordable, the studios make the same money in the end AND combat piracy by making the pirates efforts worthless.