“It is piracy, not overt online music stores, which is our main competitor.”
- February 24, 1955 – October 5, 2011
- American
- Entrepreneur, businessman, industrial designer
- He brought to the world revolutionary products that combined technology and design at a high level, such as the personal computer Macintosh, iPhone, and iPad, and also revolutionized the music industry with the iPod, iTunes, and iTunes Store.
Quote
“It is piracy, not overt online music stores, which is our main competitor.”
Explanation
In this quote, Steve Jobs highlights the real threat to the music industry and digital music sales at the time—piracy—rather than legitimate online music stores. Jobs is pointing out that while iTunes and other legal digital platforms were emerging as ways for consumers to purchase music online, the much larger issue for the industry was the rise of illegal downloading and file-sharing. These pirated files, often distributed through peer-to-peer networks, were undermining the profitability and sustainability of the music business. Jobs understood that to succeed, Apple needed to offer a service that would not only compete with these illegal channels but also provide a convenient, affordable, and legally sound alternative for consumers.
This insight helped shape the development of iTunes and its integration with iPods, offering a seamless experience that made purchasing and listening to music easier than ever before. By positioning iTunes as a legal, easy-to-use platform that allowed users to access their favorite songs quickly, Apple was able to win over consumers who might otherwise turn to piracy.
In today’s world, this quote continues to be relevant, as piracy remains an issue across various digital content industries. Jobs’ words remind us that in order to succeed in the digital age, companies must not only compete with legitimate alternatives but also address the issues of convenience, accessibility, and affordability in order to curb illegal practices.
