Pirates in the Lab: Using Incentivized Choice Experiments to Explore Preference for (Un)Authorized Content

Authors

Piotr Ćwiakowski, University of WarsawFollow
Marek Giergiczny, University of WarsawFollow
Michał Krawczyk, University of WarsawFollow

Abstract

In this paper, we report on a laboratory experiment aimed at investigating factors affecting choice between different versions of a full-length movie. In particular, we are able to pin down the willingness to pay for a legal, rather than pirated, copy and compare it to the impact of such characteristics as picture quality or delay in delivery. We find a modest but highly significant preference for the authorized version. We also find that when the proceeds from legal sales are transferred to a good cause, willingness to pay for the unauthorized copy is reduced. Our method does not seem to suffer from hypothetical bias.

Recommended Citation

Ćwiakowski, Piotr; Giergiczny, Marek; and Krawczyk, Michał. 2016. "Pirates in the Lab: Using Incentivized Choice Experiments to Explore Preference for (Un)Authorized Content," MIS Quarterly, (40: 3) pp.709-715.