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This illustrates the sheer inefficiency of the market in this case.

While distribution is basically free (pirates do it at a very low cost), having a payment system set up for these "unusual" purchases costs more than the revenue is worth.




The best part is that the second hand market satisfies the legal criteria of ownership, but doesn't reward the creators in the slightest.

I've bought a number of media second hand to make sure I own them, and it's remarkable how there just is no way to pay any original producer for things in a lot of cases. I can download a movie easily, but there's no way for me to pay anyone for having done so - meanwhile if I buy a physical copy of that movie from someone else...the creator doesn't make any money from me at all, but it's all completely legal.


This is not entirely true: Selling on the second hand market reduces the cost for the original buyer, allowing them to buy more media than they would/could without the second hand market.

That's assuming second hand prices below the original price. Inflated prices for rare works (which could be easily republished as digital media by the creators) are a different story.


it doesn't even have to be. Vimeo makes it insanely easy to sell content like this.

It's just, they don't even want to share the tiny bit of commission, or risk that you explore different content on these neutral platforms.

Some of my favourite local comedians sell all their stuff on Vimeo. Its like USD 3 for a show, and they have apps on most common devices.

Naturally I consider those more rentals than purchases that can be removed at any point in time, but thats a different topic




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