Abstract

This study is aimed at determining the main antecedents of the intention to illegally download movies in Egypt. This study examined the role of law awareness in forming the attitude toward illegal downloading and the methods downloaders use to rationalize their act. A model was proposed based on the planned behavior, neutralization and deterrence theories. A sample of 384 Mass Communication students at Cairo University was surveyed. The findings showed that law awareness does not play a direct role in forming attitudes toward movie illegal downloading. Even though the more illegal downloaders were aware of the illegality of movie copyright infringement, the more they perceived the law as deterrent; they continued downloading movies. The results also indicated that perceived deterrence has no direct correlation with attitude. The results showed that downloaders with lower levels of law awareness needed to rationalize their piracy act, which may indicate that they are aware of the immorality of their act regardless of its illegality. In addition, limiting access to movies and failing to provide more legitimate venues may cause more favorable attitude toward the illegal downloading which may represent one of the very few choices left to movie fans. Furthermore, attitude was found to be the strongest determinant of illegal downloading intention. Moreover, the current findings showed that movie downloaders perceived movie piracy as an easy act. The fight against piracy should include non-downloaders also, since this study showed that the societal acceptance was another driving force for movie piracy.

Department

Journalism & Mass Communication Department

Degree Name

MA in Journalism & Mass Communication

Graduation Date

6-1-2016

Submission Date

May 2016

First Advisor

Abdulla, Rasha

Committee Member 1

Amin, Hussein

Committee Member 2

Bali, Maha

Extent

131 p.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

Rights

The author retains all rights with regard to copyright. The author certifies that written permission from the owner(s) of third-party copyrighted matter included in the thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study has been obtained. The author further certifies that IRB approval has been obtained for this thesis, or that IRB approval is not necessary for this thesis. Insofar as this thesis, dissertation, paper, or record of study is an educational record as defined in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20 USC 1232g), the author has granted consent to disclosure of it to anyone who requests a copy.

Institutional Review Board (IRB) Approval

Approval has been obtained for this item

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