Piracy is part of our heritage, and I'm tired of hearing otherwise.
I am currently writing a thesis and an article on the role of piracy in the evolution of digital heritage. To summarize, I do not believe that piracy is a "necessary evil" but rather an integral part of the process of the cultural heritage status of intangible objects (films, series, books).
Cultural piracy has become widespread with the rise of the internet. The digitization of cultural goods creates a tension between market models and expectations of free access, experienced as a dispossession that legitimizes the use of piracy. In the I am writing, I propose to analyze the practice of piracy through the lens of the theory of heritage emotions in the digital age. Our interviews and materials from online forums reveal a shared feeling of injustice toward the cultural system. Entry into piracy involves three learning paths: peer transmission, mentorship, or self-directed learning. The transition to professional life then transforms these practices, leading to a reduction or specialization of uses. Involvement in community repositories strengthens an emotional connection to digital heritage, giving rise to "gateway individuals" who contribute to collective resources.